Food Security: NGO Set to Plant 1.3m Trees in Kwara
Hammed Shittuin Ilorin
A non-governmental organization (NGO), One Acre Fund, yesterday said about 1.3million trees would be planted in Kwara State so as to enhance food security and also to boost the afforestation initiative of the federal government.
In view of this, the NGO stated: “About 46,550 smallholder farmers in the state would be receiving 1,303,400 fast-growing, income-generating tree seedlings, positioning the state as a key player in the national push for reforestation and rural climate resilience”.
Speaking at the presentation and distribution of the affected trees free of charge at Onipako Village via Jebba in Moro Local Government Area of the state, the Team Lead of One Acre Fund, Mr. Fred Adzoyi, said: “The initiative aligns with state and federal climate action priorities, including food security, environmental protection, and sustainable agriculture”.
By putting trees in the hands of farmers, Mr. Adzoyi stated that, “the organisation is transforming vulnerable communities into hubs of environmental restoration and resilience.
“In Kwara State, the programme will see 46,550 smallholder farmers receive 1,303,400 fast-growing, income-generating tree seedlings, positioning the state as a key player in the national push for reforestation and rural climate resilience.
“The 2025 campaign is a significant scale-up from last year’s reach. In 2024, One Acre Fund distributed 6.57 million trees to 243,465 farmers in Kwara, Niger, and Nasarawa States including 11,150 high-value trees (HVTs) like mango, cashew, and citrus directly benefitting over 2,600 farming families”.
He added: “The trees not only regenerate degraded land but also diversify farmer income, with long-term benefits such as fruit harvests, timber sales, and improved soil fertility”.
While defending the initiative of the planting of 1.3million trees in the state, Mr. Adzoyi stated that, “Nigeria is losing its forest cover at an alarming pace of 350,000 hectares per year, a trend that threatens water sources, biodiversity, and the sustainability of the country’s food systems”.
He noted: “Small holder farmers who grow the bulk of Nigeria’s food are often the hardest hit by climate shocks like flooding, desertification, and erratic rainfall.
“The One Acre Fund Trees Programme empowers these farmers to become climate defenders, offering free, climate-resilient tree seedlings, On-farm technical support, income-generation opportunities from high-value species, carbon sequestration and environmental restoration
“These trees reduce erosion, improve farm yields, and help communities withstand the effects of a changing climate – all while unlocking new sources of revenue”.
Also speaking at the event, the State Commissioner for Environment, HajiyaNafisat Musa Buge, said the state government is committed to enhancing livelihoods of our farmers and promoting sustainable agricultural practices in the state.
The commissioner who said the initiative by the One Acre Fund will not only help to improve agricultural productivity, added that it would safeguard our environment for generations to come.
His words: “Agriculture has always been the backbone of our economy. However, the challenges faced by farmers, from soil degradation to climate change, have threatened our ability to achieve sustainable agricultural growth.
“Through the One Acre Fund’s intervention, we are taking a bold step to address these challenges and empower our farmers with the tools, knowledge, and resources they need to thrive.
“Agroforestry – the practice of integrating trees into farming systems – has proven to be one of the most effective ways to increase farm productivity while preserving the environment.
“The economic trees we are distributing today are not only an investment in the future of our farmers but also in the future of our State and nation.
“These trees will provide diverse benefits, including improved soil fertility, enhanced water retention, better microclimates, and even additional income from timber, fruits, and other tree-based products”.
