The Ezza South Local Government Area in Ebonyi State has taken a significant step towards promoting environmental sustainability and food security with the launch of a massive tree planting and agricultural initiative. The program involves planting 10,000 economic trees and 30,000 palm seedlings across schools, farmlands, and communities.
According to the Council Chairperson, Mrs. Nwali, the initiative aims to curb erosion, beautify the surroundings, and drive economic growth through agro-based development. To achieve this, the council has begun distributing palm seedlings to traditional rulers, town union leaders, councillors, and residents, while also planting economic trees like mango, cashew, and guava in schools and communities.
The initiative is part of a broader agricultural drive that has seen the local government expand into large-scale production of crops like cassava, maize, yam, and rice. The council has also provided farmers with essential inputs like fertilizers and agrochemicals to boost crop yield and productivity.
Every government official in the area has been directed to establish and maintain personal farms, with the goal of ensuring no land remains unused. “No land in Ezza South should remain unused. If you cannot cultivate it yourself, engage someone else and share the harvest. We must ensure that hunger has no place in our communities,” Mrs. Nwali emphasized.
To further support farmers and promote rural trade, the council has begun constructing a 5-kilometre concrete road linking several communities. This infrastructure project will improve the transportation of produce and enhance economic activity in the area.
The initiative has already shown positive results, with low prices of foodstuffs in local markets. The council’s efforts to promote agriculture and support farmers are expected to have a lasting impact on the community, enhancing food security and economic growth.