The war against climate change is not being left to the government alone. Operators in the private sector and the non government organisations are also enlisting in it. One Acre Fund, a non-profit development organisation, has kicked off the distribution of 938,000 Albizia Lebbeck tree seedlings to 34,000 smallholder farmers in Nasarawa state. The gesture was to tackle the issue of climate change in the State.
According to One Acre Fund, Nigeria, it is supporting farmers in Nigeria by providing them with access to high-quality agricultural inputs to end poverty, hunger and generally improve the livelihoods of farmers.
Zainab Haruna, Trees Lead of the organisation, while speaking at the event in Nasarawa Eggon Local Government Area of the state, said that the gesture was to reduce the devastating effects of climate change in the state. “Tree planting was part of the avenues the organisation uses to support farmers to continue to feed themselves, their families and generally enjoy financial stability.”
“We have seen changes in our lands as climate change continues to have negative effects on them by damaging nutrients within the soil and affecting rainfalls, among other challenges that our farmers face on a regular basis.
“We are offering this programme as a way to cushion them (farmers) from some of these effects, and to ensure that they are able to continue to get a harvest from their farmlands, while giving them alternative sources of income.
“The farmers will be able to harvest the trees when they reach maturity. Apart from the environmental benefits which include protecting their lands from erosion, they will be able to sell some of the trees for furniture purposes, among other benefits that they can get from it.” she added.
Yakubu Kwanta, Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources in the state who was represented by Angbashim Ishaku Director, Climate Change in the ministry, hailed One Acre Fund, Nigeria for the empowerment programe.
He said, “By planting trees, the negative effects of climate change will be greatly reduced. I, therefore, call on the benefiting communities to plant the tree seedlings and nurture them to ensure that they mature at the appropriate time.”
