The Federal Government, through the National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA), has launched its Youth Agroforestry and Climate Action Campaign in Kwara State. 

The launch follows the completion of the Green Hope Project’s initial phase in Oke-Onigbin, Isin Local Government Area, where 5,000 economic trees were planted across four key regional clusters.

Speaking on behalf of the NALDA Executive Secretary, Engr. Cornelius Adebayo, Special Assistant on Projects, Salman Ibrahim announced that the presidency has approved the planting of an additional 56,000 economic trees across 34 open-field horticulture clusters. 

Spanning more than 500 hectares across 38 nationwide locations, these clusters integrate high-value species, including mango, avocado, coconut, and fig, to serve as “living perimeter fences”. 

This natural barrier approach safeguards open fields cultivating tomatoes, peppers, and okra while generating secondary fruit incomes for participating women and youth farmers.

Engr. Olusegun Owolabi, Senior Technical Assistant to the NALDA CEO, emphasised that integrating tree crops ensures ecological restoration alongside active cultivation. 

Over 400 youth climate advocates, designated as “Green Hope Ambassadors,” participated in the initial phase, with over 2,000 more set to join the next rollout. NALDA is also partnering with climate institutions to verify the trees for carbon-credit opportunities, aligning with its broader goal of planting one million economic trees by 2030 to strengthen food security, rural livelihoods, and environmental resilience.

Source: Punch News
Image Credit: 9ja Parrot Online