1st August, 2018
The EU and Oxfam Project in Katsina State on Wednesday said that they were collaborating with farmers to plant 700,000 assorted seedlings of trees in the ongoing planting season, to improve fuel wood balance and prevent desertification.
Dr Christo Marry -Udokang, the Project Manager, made this known in Daura during the formal inauguration of the tree-planting programme in the area.
According to him, 3,500 farmers are expected to plant and maintain the trees through the direct farmer/nursery approach in the seven participating local government areas.
He said that the assorted tree seedlings include moringa, neem, cashew, eucalyptus, Zizipus and other relevant economic trees.
“We provided the seedlings to the farmers at no cost to them,” the project manager said.
Marry-Udokang advised farmers to ensure that they plant and maintain the trees for their own economic benefit and environment, saying that trees promote healthy living by protecting human and animal habitats against desertification, and also provide fruits for consumption.
He said that various assorted trees were planted as part of the programme in the last four years in Daura, Mashi, Dutsi, Baure, Zango, Sandamu and Maiadua local council areas.
Earlier, Malam Mohammed Buhari-Fago, the Director of Agriculture, Daura Local Council, said that his department would ensure regular monitoring and supervision of the project.
He called on the benefiting communities, especially the farmers, to make good use of the opportunity, as the programme was aimed at guarding and promoting the environment against desertification and generating income.
The Emir of Daura, Alhaji Farouk Umar, represented by Alhaji Tasiu Kaura, the (Sadaukin Daura), commended the sponsors of the project for considering the seven council areas worthy of benefiting from the programme.
Umar said the traditional rulers would ensure the checking of incessant tree-felling, and would collaborate with the state and federal agencies saddled with such responsibility.
He said that trees are beneficial to both humans, animals and the environment, hence the need to plant, maintain and preserve them to achieve environmental sustainability.