One Acre Fund Nigeria, a Non-Governmental Organisation, has commenced the distribution of over 2.3 million Albizia Lebbeck and Moringa tree seedlings to 82,150 smallholder farmers to mitigate the effect of climate change in Nasarawa State.
Zainab Haruna, the Team Lead of One Acre Fund, Nigeria, who was speaking at the unveiling of the exercise in Adogi, a suburb of Lafia, the State capital, noted that, their mission was to support farmers access to high-quality agricultural inputs to end poverty, hunger and to generally improving their livelihoods.
Haruna explained that the gesture was to help reduce the devastating effects of climate change in the State, as the tree planting was part of the avenues the organisation uses to support farmers to continue to enjoy financial stability
“If the trees are well-nurtured, the farmers will be able to harvest them when they reach maturity and enjoy their numerous environmental benefits, which include protecting their farmlands from erosion, and adding that they will also be able to sell some of the trees for furniture purposes.
“In 2025, One Acre Fund, Nigeria aims to reach 471,700 smallholder farmers across the three states of Nasarawa, Kwara and Niger with 12.5 million tree seedlings.
“Out of this total, Nasarawa State alone will receive 2,300,200 pieces of tree seedlings, which will be distributed to 82,150 farmers in the state. This is a testament to our commitment to driving Nigeria’s agroforestry transformation.
“We are offering this programme because we have seen changes on 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”, Haruna noted.
Zainabs Haruna, therefore, appealed to the beneficiaries to plant the seedlings and take care of them, and expressed hope that, in the coming years, the trees would serve as an additional source of income that could sustain them and their families.
Umar Tanko Tunga, the State Commissioner for Agriculture, who was represented by a Director in the Ministry, Lidia Kyari, commended One Acre Fund, Nigeria, for the empowerment programme.
The Commissioner further reiterated the State Government’s commitment to continue to support and partner with organisations that are making efforts to mitigate the issues of climate change in the state.
Umar Nuhu, the Programme Manager, Nasarawa State Agricultural Development Programme (NADP), was happy that the tree planting would surely address the negative effects of climate change.
He, therefore, called on the beneficiaries to ensure the seedlings are planted and well-nurtured for maturity.
“I want to use this opportunity to express my gratitude to One Acre Fund, Nigeria, for the empowerment programme. I also urge the beneficiaries not to sell the tree seedlings, but make good use of them to improve their livelihoods,” he added.
Hadiza Adamu, who spoke on behalf of the beneficiaries, thanked One Acre Fund, Nigeria, for the empowerment, promised to make good use of the Albizia Lebbeck and Moringa tree seedlings to improve their livelihoods.
Each beneficiary received a total of 27 tree seedlings, and they are to plant them around their farmlands and homes.
