Niger State Government has flagged-off the distribution of tractors, reclamation of land, drilling of boreholes, empowerment programme for youth and women, among other projects of the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACRESAL) in the State.
The programme is part of the objectives of the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACRESAL), aimed at addressing the pressing challenges of climate change, environmental degradation and food insecurity in various communities.
For the empowerment programmes, 100 youth will be trained on the establishment of plant nurseries, while 100 women will be on seedlings production.
The event was held at the ACEESAL multipurpose Nursery Plant, Abdulkadir Kure University, Minna.
Governor Umaru Bago said the programme is in line with the commitment of his administration, especially, to reclaim parts of the State from the negative effects of environmental degradation.
The Governor who was represented by his Deputy, Comrade Yakubu Garba, acknowledged that the project will support the State Government to develop multi-sectoral approaches for desertification control and landscape management to help in improving community resilience and enhance livelihoods of the rural populace.
He said the youth and women that will benefit from the empowerment programme will be supported with starter packs for the establishment of plant nurseries at various locations across the state adding that, the Abdulkadir Kure University is to serve as a starting point and then Bida, Kontagora, New Bussa and Suleja will come up in the near future.
The Governor also revealed that the drilling of boreholes, which would be in phases, is aimed at improving provision of water and sanitation in communities.
He said Abdulkadir Kure University, Minna, Kpanduko in Bosso, Baidna in Paikoro, Kaliko in Wushishi, Labozhi ,Mokwa, Agaie, and Bida are to benefit under the first phase.
The State Coordinator of ACRESAL, Raji Shehu Adam, who gave an overview of ACRESAL Project in the State, disclosed that the tractors procured is a collaborative effort with the Food and Agricultural Organisation of the United Nations where one tractor will be given to each of the 25 Local Government Areas
He explained that only 10 Local Government Areas are benefitting from the first phase of distribution.
The State Coordinator disclosed that a portal will be opened for interested youth to register and get starter packs, and eventually, ACRESAL will serve as off-takers of low-hanging fruits from them while the women will be selected from various Women groups across the State.
In their separate goodwill messages, the Speaker, Niger State House of Assembly, Abdulmalik Sarkin Daji and the Commissioner for Agriculture, Salihu Bawa Bosso applauded the initiatives of Farmer Governor for his initiatives that have direct bearing on the lives of the citizenry.
The Commissioner for Environment and Climate Change, Yakubu Mohammed Kolo, in his address, emphasised that engaging Communities in sustainable land management practices, will further help in preventing land degradation, restore degraded ecosystems and enhance biodiversity across Semi-Arid landscapes in the State.
The Governor represented by his deputy Comrade Yakubu Garba made a symbolic presentation of Tractors as well as the planting of trees.
