FG Launches Kwara Agro-Forestry Campaign for Expansion

The Nigerian federal government, through the National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA), has initiated a Youth Agroforestry and Climate Action Campaign in Kwara State.

This environmental initiative marks the completion of the first phase of NALDA's Green Hope Project, which successfully saw the planting of approximately 5,000 economic trees across four different locations. The campaign previously rolled out in Odogbolu, Ogun State, the University of Abuja, and Barkin Ladi in Plateau State, before its first-phase conclusion in Oke-Onigbin, Isin Local Government Area of Kwara State.

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Today marks the completion of the first phase of our Youth Agroforestry and Climate Action Campaign under the Green Hope Project. So far, we have planted about 5,000 economic trees and engaged roughly 400 young people in the exercise across the selected locations.

During the tree-planting event in Oke-Onigbin, Salman Ibrahim, Special Assistant on Projects to the NALDA Executive Secretary, announced that the federal government has approved the planting of an additional 56,000 economic trees. These trees will be distributed across the remaining 34 Open-Field Horticulture Clusters nationwide. Ibrahim, representing NALDA Executive Secretary Cornelius Adebayo, stated that around 400 youths participated as volunteers and climate advocates in the first phase.

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The Executive Secretary has given the approval for us to proceed with another 56,000 trees across the remaining 34 clusters. This phase will also bring more than 2,000 young people into the programme so that they can participate in the planting exercise and take the message of climate action back to their communities.

The upcoming phase is set to expand the campaign significantly, with an expected participation of over 2,000 youths. These young participants will engage in tree planting and actively promote climate action within their communities. NALDA currently manages 38 Open-Field Horticulture Clusters across the country, covering more than 500 hectares. The economic trees, including species like mango, avocado, coconut, and fig, are being integrated into these clusters not just as perimeter fencing but also to provide food, restore the environment, and generate income for farmers.

Ibrahim emphasized that the trees serve multiple purposes: acting as natural perimeter fences for the horticulture clusters, offering food sources, contributing to environmental restoration, and creating additional income streams for farmers. These trees will complement the cultivation of crops such as tomatoes, pepper, and okra within the clusters. NALDA is also actively seeking partnerships with relevant climate organizations to further enhance the campaign's impact.

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The trees are not being planted simply for beautification. They will serve as natural perimeter fencing for our horticulture clusters, while also providing food, restoring the environment and creating another source of income for the farmers.