Food Crisis: NALDA To Plant 1m Mango, Coconut, Avocado, Fig Trees
In a move that could combine Nigeria’s fight against food insecurity with efforts to tackle the worsening effects of climate change, the National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA) is set to plant one million economic trees across the country’s six geopolitical zones. The initiative, which will feature mango, coconut, avocado and fig trees, is expected […]
The National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA) is planning to plant one million economic trees across Nigeria's six geopolitical zones as part of its Green Hope Project and Youth Agroforestry and Climate Action Campaign. The initiative aims to address food insecurity, combat climate change, and provide farmers with additional sources of food and income.
Mango, coconut, avocado, and fig trees will be among the species planted in 34 horticultural clusters nationwide. So far, 5,000 trees have been planted in Ogun, Abuja, Plateau, and Kwara states, with another 2,500 expected to be planted in the next phase of the campaign. NALDA has secured approval for an additional 56,000 trees to be planted in these clusters.
The economic trees are chosen to provide both environmental benefits and tangible economic returns, as they will serve as perimeter fencing for horticultural clusters and produce fruits for consumption and commercial purposes. NALDA is also exploring carbon credit opportunities from the trees planted under the programme to generate benefits beyond agriculture, such as carbon sequestration and climate resilience.
Senior Assistant, Technical, to the Executive Secretary Olusegun Owolabi highlighted that the initiative addresses the environmental impact of agricultural land development by incorporating economic trees around cultivated areas. Green Hope Ambassadors emphasized the importance of protecting and nurturing the planted trees to ensure their maturity and regenerative impact on forests and climate-related challenges.
Local farmers and female students have also praised the initiative for improving economic circumstances and building sustainable sources of income.
Written by urgent.news from Daily Trust's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
