Kaduna State Plants 3.7m Trees In 2 Years

Kaduna State Government says it has so far planted 3,702,470 trees over the last two years in various locations as part of measures to control desertification.

The State Director Forestry, in the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Mr Anthony Kachiro disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Kaduna.

The director, who spoke on UN 2018 International Day of Forests, said that the trees were planted in parts of the state between 2016 and 2017 to arrest both human and natural phenomena leading to deforestation.

He said that in addition, the government had established 310 km shelter belt across five local government areas to tackle the menace.

“So far, we have planted trees covering 93.6 km by 50 meters in the five local governments sharing boundary with Katsina, Kano, and Zamfara among others.

“The belt was established to arrest desertification across Ikara, Makarfi, Kudan, Giwa and Birnin Gwari local government areas in the state,“ the official said.

The United Nations General Assembly on Nov. 28, 2012, adopted a resolution and set aside March 21, as International Day of Forests.

Gov. Abubakar Bagudu of Kebbi has assured farmers in the state of adequate provision of more farming implement to boost agricultural activities.

Bagudu made the assertion on Monday at Waziri Umaru Federal Polytechnics during the report presentation by Agricultural committee of 21 local governments in the State.

The state government had set up the committee to find lasting solution to rivers dryness and other challenges facing farmers in the state.

He said the State government is ready to find solution to any problems that is associated with agriculture and food insecurity. The governor promised that the state would provide chemical, insecticides for farmers to protect their crops against rodents, Quellea birds and insects.

” Any community that requires agricultural support, the State government is ready to assist in boosting food production in the state.

” We have to focus on our attention to all farmers so that we can make optimal arrangement that can help farmers to produce more product in the State.”

Governor further said that state government has procured 10,000 metric tonnes of fertiliser for farmers and his administration is planning to distribute 300 tractors and 250 harvesters to farmers to boost food production in the state.

” We don’t have challenges of fertiliser because government has procured a lot of fertiliser for farmers in the state, we have fertilisers available for farmers at the rate of N5,000 and the farmers can get the fertiliser through their village and district Heads.

He stated that fertiliser that worth N128 million was given to Emir of Argungu, Alhaji Samila Mera to give to the farmers at a subsidiary rate to encourage more cultivation. Bagudu said what can be done in rice production can also be done in other crops to boost production.

The governor said that the state government has sign agreement with NNPC on sugar and cassava to produce ethanol and also sign another agreement with Dangote groups to establish rice mill company in the state.

The day, according the UN Food and Agriculture Organization is to raise awareness among nations and their people on the importance of forests and trees to present and future generations. This year’s theme is “Forests and Sustainable Cities.