By Dare Akogun
In an effort to address climate change, One Acre Fund Nigeria, a non-governmental organisation, has launched the 2024 Agroforestry distribution of free tree seedlings to 30,000 farmers in Kwara State.
Speaking at the event, held in Jebba Moro local government area of the state Fredrick Adzoyi, the Trees Lead of the organisation, stated that the program aims to distribute 6 million free tree seedlings to 220,000 farmers across Kwara, Nasarawa, and Niger states.
He said the initiative seeks to mitigate the devastating effects of climate change in these regions.
“Tree planting is one of the ways we support farmers to continue feeding themselves, their families, and to enjoy financial stability.
“We started this program in Niger State, and now it’s Kwara State’s turn, with Nasarawa State next in line,” he said.
Adzoyi explained that One Acre Fund primarily works with farmers, providing them with free seedlings.
“Each farmer will receive 27 seedlings. For this season, the organisation plans to work with 9,000 farmers in Kwara State, distributing a total of 260,000 tree seedlings.
“We have seen changes in our lands as climate change continues to have negative effects by damaging soil nutrients and affecting rainfall. This program is offered as a way to cushion farmers from these effects, ensuring they can continue to harvest from their farmlands while also providing alternative sources of income,” Adzoyi noted.
He added that the environmental benefits of tree planting include protecting lands from erosion. Farmers will also be able to sell some of the trees for furniture purposes once they reach maturity.
Commissioner for Environment, Nafisat Buge, represented by Mr. Babatunde Idris, commended the organisers for their efforts to mitigate the effects of climate change.
The commissioner urged farmers to plant the seedlings promptly and praised the state government for supporting such initiatives.
Chief Bello Samuel, one of the beneficiaries, expressed his gratitude, saying the program came at the right time.
He said the initiative by One Acre Fund underscores the importance of agroforestry in combating climate change and supporting rural livelihoods in Nigeria.
