A total of 260,000 tree seedlings have been distributed free to about 9,000 local farmers in Kwara State to improve the environment, food nutrients, erosion control, and income generation, among others.
Speaking during the free distribution of the tree seedlings in Jebba, Moro local government area of the state, the team lead of One Acre Fund, a non-government organisation committed to securing the future with free seedlings, Mr Alfred Adzoyi, said that the project was also targeted at boosting the income of smallholder farmers in the state.
The team leader of the group, who said that 27 trees were given to each of the farmers, added that the project would help protect the environment, combat climate change, diversify the income of farmers, and improve soil fertility.
“Benefits of the trees include the fact that they grow quickly, leaves can be used as fodder, can be used for erosion control of soil, fix nitrogen in soil, and improve soil fertility.
“Soil is improved if dropped leaves are left to decompose. Shade for the house and boundary marker. Provides nutrients for food.
“Fixes nitrogen in the soil, improving soil fertility. Seeds can be sold to generate income. Provides shade for crops. Has medicinal properties. Leaves and pods can be used as livestock feed. Drought resistant.”
Adzoyi said that One Acre Fund commenced operations in Kwara State six years ago, adding that the organisation started in Niger State and planned to take the tree planting campaign to Nasarawa State.
“We’re only working with the smallholder farmers alone by giving free tree seedlings to the farmers free of charge, as each of the farmers is given 27 free tree seedlings.”
Also speaking, the director of forestry in the Ministry of Environment, Mr Babatunde Idris, who represented the state commissioner, said that the programme would help complement the efforts of Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq on the environment.
He also said that the programme was capable of boosting smallholder farmers’ financial capabilities.
Some beneficiaries of the project, Hajia Funmilayo Lawal and Musa Salau, as well as a community leader in the area, Chief Bello Samuel, praised the organisers for choosing their community for the event, saying that the project would impact well on their environment and their finances.
The highlight of the occasion was the education and enlightenment of farmers on effective ways of planting trees for proper growth.
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