TheCable

The National Agency for the Great Green Wall (NAGGW) says it has produced and raised 45,251,179 assorted tree seedlings for afforestation in the country.

Yusuf Maina-Bukar, director-general (DG) of the agency, spoke in Abuja on Tuesday at an interactive session with members of the house of representatives committee on ecological funds.

While highlighting the achievements of the agency established in 2015, Maina-Bukar said 10,813,733 tree seedlings have been distributed to farmers to promote agroforestry.

He added that 4,455 units of solar home lighting systems have been procured and distributed, noting that 6,300 units of super saver wooden stoves were distributed to the inhabitants of the communities to discourage indiscriminate tree logging for domestic purposes.

On the rural infrastructure-assisted project, Maina-Bukar said 430 units of solar-powered boreholes and motorised boreholes have been constructed with complete accessories.

He said five units of skill acquisition centres have also been constructed and equipped for off-land training.

According to the agency director general, 71 community plant nurseries have been established for seedling production.

On job creation, Maina-Bukar said 1,397 youths have been trained and engaged as forest guards to protect the agency’s investments.

He explained that 205 units of grinding machines were procured and distributed to women and youth, with 85 units of motorcycles procured and distributed for the forest guards patrolling the agency’s investments to prevent indiscriminate tree felling.

The agency boss said about 210,709 youths, comprising women, were engaged in direct tree planting and other related activities.

On capacity building and development, the DG said 1,367 rural community members have been trained on off-land livelihood activities, while 275 farmers were equipped with skills in climate-smart agriculture in the dryland region.