The Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) announced that it has equipped a total of 640 farmers in Cross River State, focusing on sustainable agricultural methods.
Joseph Onoja, the director general of NCF, revealed this information during the conclusion of a workshop held in Calabar on Wednesday.
According to Mr. Onoja, the participants, representing eight different communities across the state, included 240 male farmers and 400 women who received training in non-Timber Forest Products value chain and green enterprises.
The News Agency of Nigeria reported that these communities are situated in the Akamkpa and Yakurr local government areas, with Iko Esai being one of them.
The initiative, entitled “Iko Esai,” with a theme of “Community Forest Management and Livelihood Improvement in the Buffer Region of the Cross River National Park in Nigeria,” has also led to the restoration of 120 hectares of damaged forest area.
He elaborated that the primary goal of the project is to instill community- driven approaches for both forest conservation and sustainable agricultural practices, fostering high-yield methodologies.
Launched in 2022, the initiative was designed to strengthen the capabilities of non-Timber Forest Products traders, thereby improving their financial outcomes while also educating the local populace on effective forest usage and management strategies.
This project, which has received backing from the German government, has also facilitated the establishment of governance structures concerning forest management within the communities involved.
“We successfully collaborated with eight communities to foster sustainable forest management, paving the way for the development of sustainable livelihoods,” stated Mr. Onoja.
He stressed, “The objective is to empower local individuals to safeguard their communities and the forest resources.”
Mr. Onoja pointed out that Cross River State is home to one of Nigeria's most extensive forest areas, emphasizing the importance of collective efforts to preserve these forests for the state, country, and the wider West African region.
George Oben-Etche, chairman of the Cross River Forest Commission, joined in encouraging local communities to assume responsibility for protecting their forests.
He emphasized that halting deforestation effectively involves providing sustainable livelihood alternatives for the resident communities.
Christabel Ndubisi, vice-president of the Calabar Chambers of Commerce, praised the NCF for generating viable livelihood options for these communities, committing to facilitating market access for their products.
Johnson Ebokpo, the state’s commissioner for agriculture, urged for improved traceability measures to contribute to forest conservation efforts, which he believes are essential due to the increasing encroachment on forest areas leading to climate change.
He called upon Nigerians to make forest conservation a priority for a healthier future.
“When we care for the planet, it reciprocates by sustaining us. A secure environment ensures the well-being of our world,” he said.
Joseph Ntui from the Cross River National Park remarked that the sustainable management of forest resources will ensure their availability for generations to come.
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