The Gombe State Government says 140 hectares of degraded land have been reclaimed through the implementation of the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) project in the state.
Gov. Inuwa Yahaya disclosed this while inaugurating the 2024 tree planting campaign and presentation of cheques to the Community Resolving Funds (CRF) beneficiaries in Funakaye Local Government Area of the state.
Yahaya said that under the ACRELeSAL project, 1,742,400 various tree seedlings like mahogany, syzygium, mango, cashew, eucalyptus, and moringa had been planted across the 11 local government areas of the state.
According to him, the state plans to reclaim 1,905 hectares in 2024 through massive tree planting.
He disclosed that prior to the implementation of ACReSAL, the state had planted about four million trees under the Gombe Goes Green (3G) project in order to mitigate desert encroachment, prevent erosion and reverse land degradation.
”It is clear that our resolve to take climate action through sustainable tree planting over the past five years is borne out of the need to address the visible adverse effects of climate change on our environment, economy, and agriculture.
”Today’s event underscores our government’s unwavering commitment to restoring the ecological balance in Gombe State; thus making our state greener and our community resilience to climate change by providing support to our rural communities.
”Since 2019, our administration has made significant strides towards combating deforestation and environmental degradation.
”With partnerships from the World Bank, initially through the NEWMAP project and now through the ACReSAL project, we have successfully addressed and remedied several severe gully sites in Gombe State.
”This has helped in bringing relief to affected communities and safeguarding the livelihoods of our people,” he said.
The governor decried the impact of climate change on agriculture which he described as the backbone of the state’s economy.
According to him, the impact of climate change has significantly influenced crop yields, livestock production, and the availability of soil and water resources.
Speaking on the ACReSAL CRF, Yahaya said it was not a grant or a government largess but a loan that must be repaid within the stipulated time to allow others to benefit.
He said that the loan was expected to be used prudently to improve agricultural production, enhance food security and uplift community welfare as well as create employment opportunities for women, youths and people with special needs.
”We will closely monitor the use of these funds to ensure they enhance the capacity of community and farmer groups to practice climate-smart agriculture.
”And to promote sustainable agricultural practices, address local conflicts and foster mutual understanding and peace in our communities,” he said.(NAN).
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