The Yobe State government has initiated a large-scale program involving the distribution of five million seedlings. These are intended for the establishment of shelterbelts, a key strategy to reclaim land threatened by desertification, promote environmental renewal, and encourage sustainable growth.
Malam Muhammad Musa, the State Coordinator for the Yobe Sahara Restoration Drive Project, announced the initiative during a foundational training session designed to enhance the institutional and technical capabilities needed for effective project execution.
He elaborated that the five million seedlings will serve multiple purposes, including offering protection from winds, improving local climate conditions, and boosting biodiversity. The shelterbelts are anticipated to yield positive impacts on both agricultural output and the overall environment.
Musa further explained that after the seedlings are distributed and planted, the state government plans to transfer full project oversight to the local communities. This approach is expected to create a robust framework for ongoing monitoring and help achieve the program's objectives, while also addressing the pressing challenges faced by the villages.
He also highlighted that the workshop represents a crucial step in the government's comprehensive strategy to tackle desertification, mitigate the effects of windstorms, combat desert encroachment, and address other climate change-related issues prevalent in the state.
The Commissioner for Environment, Sidi Yakubu Karasuwa, indicated that the ministry is collaborating with international partners, including the World Bank and the African Development Bank, along with other donor organizations, to augment the state government's own contributions.
Represented by Ahmed Muhammad Abubakar, the Director of Forestry and Wildlife Services, the commissioner reaffirmed the ministry's dedication to reclaiming barren lands through the cultivation and annual distribution of millions of seedlings.
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