NAGGW Produces 45.3m Tree Seedlings To Fight Desertification

As  of efforts to combat desertification and promote sustainable environmental practices in the country, the National Agency for the Great Green Wall, NAGGW,part has produced 45.3 million tree seedlings for aforestation.

Director-General Dr. Yusuf Maina-Bukar who disclosed this during an interactive session with the House of Representatives Committee on Ecological Fund in Abuja, stated that 10.8 million of the seedlings have been distributed to farmers to promote agroforestry practices.

The Director General while highlighting the agency’s achievements said fourteen thousand one hundred and eighteen, 14,118, hectares of degraded landscapes have been rehabilitated through various plantation models.

” 4,455 units of solar home lightening systems had been procured and distributed and a total of 3,102 units of solar street lights had also been procured and installed at rural markets, boreholes and plant nursery sites.

” The agency had also procured and distributed 6,300 units of super saver wooden stoves to families and inhabitants of rural communities to discourage indiscriminate tree logging for domestic purposes.

“A total of 128 units of solar powered pumps with trolley had been procured and installed for irrigation purposes across the 11 frontline states across the country.

“430 units of solar powered boreholes and motorised boreholes have been constructed with complete accessories by the agency.

“We have constructed and have equipped for off land training, five units of skill acquisition centres and 71 community plant nurseries have been established for seedlings production”.

“We have constructed a 14.6 km of rural feeder roads for ease of access and 110 tube wells have been constructed for irrigation purposes,” he said.

Bukar said that no fever than 1,397 youths had been trained and engaged as forest guards to protect the agency’s investments.

According to him, 85 units of motorcycles had been procured and distributed for the forest guards patrolling the agency’s investments so as to prevent indiscriminate tree felling.

He said that in a bid to empower women and youths, 205 units of grinding machines were procured and distributed to women and youths.

“About 210,709 youths were engaged in direct tree planting and other related activities, 2,283 rural community members, women and youths have been trained in off land livelihood activities while 275 farmers have been trained on climate smart agriculture in the dryland region,” he said.

Maina-Bukar told the lawmakers that two Automatic Weather Stations had been put in place for field data collection as well as an effective monitoring and evaluation system.

Earlier, the Chairman of the committee, Sani Jaji emphasized the importance of the roundtable, stating that it was convened to acquaint the committee with the agency’s activities and ensure effective oversight.

The Lawmaker reaffirmed the committee’s commitment to fulfilling its constitutional responsibilities and addressing the concerns of the public.

Oduyemi Odumade, Edited By Grace Namiji