FG moves to boost food security with World Bank-backed ACReSAL project
The Federal Government has announced plans to scale up the World Bank-supported Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) Project as a strategic intervention to enhance food security and climate resilience across Nigeria. The announcement was made by the Minister of Environment, Malam Balarabe Abbas Lawal, during the ACReSAL Project-Wide Retreat for Steering and Technical Committees […]
The Federal Government has announced plans to scale up the World Bank-supported Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) Project as a strategic intervention to enhance food security and climate resilience across Nigeria.
The announcement was made by the Minister of Environment, Malam Balarabe Abbas Lawal, during the ACReSAL Project-Wide Retreat for Steering and Technical Committees held in Lagos.
Lawal said the project, which primarily targets the 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), is already addressing key environmental challenges such as desertification, land degradation, and climate-induced agricultural setbacks. He emphasized that ACReSAL’s potential goes beyond its current achievements.
“We believe that rainwater harvesting is a significant area where ACReSAL could expand its efforts. It will promote all-season farming, reduce dependence on rain-fed agriculture, and ensure water availability to support forest restoration,” the Minister said.
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He noted that by harnessing rainwater, communities can convert the threat of flooding into a valuable resource for agriculture and ecosystem sustainability.
He also acknowledged the project’s contributions so far to restoring degraded lands and improving food production systems in vulnerable areas.
Also speaking at the retreat, Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Dr. Sabi Aliyu Abdullahi, praised the project’s success in empowering communities and fostering climate-resilient farming practices.
“Through collective efforts, we have revitalized degraded lands, strengthened food systems, and promoted sustainable agriculture across the 19 northern states and the FCT,” he said.
Abdullahi further highlighted the alignment of the ACReSAL initiative with the federal government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which places food security and agricultural transformation at the heart of national development.
“By tackling land degradation and climate challenges, we are not only improving livelihoods but also laying the foundation for a more resilient and food-secure Nigeria,” he stated.
Task Team Leader for ACReSAL and Senior Environmental Specialist at the World Bank, Dr. Joy Iganya Agene, also expressed satisfaction with the project’s implementation and early outcomes.
“Today, we can say that the ship has sailed. In just two years, we have restored nearly 200,000 hectares of degraded land out of our 1 million-hectare target,” she said.
Agene cited notable achievements, including the adoption of regenerative agriculture practices in Adamawa State and effective flood mitigation efforts in Katsina and Kaduna. “These interventions have not only improved land productivity but have also prevented loss of lives in flood-prone communities,” she added.
ACReSAL is a multi-sectoral initiative driven by the Federal Government in collaboration with the 19 participating state governments and the FCT. It is jointly overseen by the Ministries of Environment, Agriculture, and Water Resources, and focuses on dryland management, community resilience, institutional strengthening, and project sustainability.