The National Agency for the Great Green Wall will begin its 2025 planting season in July, distributing over five million date palm seedlings nationwide.

 The agency’s Director-General, Saleh Abubakar, stated this on Friday during a courtesy visit to the Kano State Commissioner for Environment and Climate Change, Dr Dahir Hashim.

 He requested state support in identifying and allocating plantation sites across Kano to ensure smooth execution of the planned agroforestry interventions.

Mr Abubakar stated, “We have raised over five million seedlings, and a significant number are earmarked for Kano State.’’ 

Despite operating from Abuja, Mr Abubakar stated that Kano serves as the agency’s functional base due to the Afforestation Project Coordinating Unit’s presence.

He identified sites in Gabasawa and Makoda Local Government Areas for agroforestry to support environmental recovery and rural livelihoods.

 Mr Abubakar expressed concern about vandalism and encroachment at the Gabasawa site, which was allocated by the state government.

 He noted that the agency had sent multiple letters to authorities, but the situation remained unresolved.

He added, “This visit follows up on those letters. If the land is no longer viable, we request an alternative site.’’

He emphasised the importance of protecting plantation sites to prevent setbacks such as those encountered in Gabasawa.

 He encouraged dialogue with the state government to resolve issues surrounding vandalised assets through mutual understanding.

 “This visit strengthens our collaboration with the state and reiterates our commitment to joint environmental restoration efforts,” Mr Abubakar said.  

He assured of the agency’s readiness to work closely with the state in combating desertification and improving rural livelihoods.

Responding, Mr Hashim affirmed Kano State’s dedication to collaborating with relevant agencies to fight desert encroachment.

The commissioner said that the government had reclaimed over 37,000 hectares of degraded land to promote land restoration and combat desertification.

Mr Hashim highlighted the role of community involvement and confirmed the recruitment of additional forest guards to secure plantations.

On his part, Acting State Project Coordinator of Kano-AcReSAL, Abdulhamid Bala, identified unpaid forest guards as a key cause of site vandalism.

He said delayed planting led to encroachment by farmers on designated restoration sites.

Mr Bala urged timely fund disbursement to ensure smooth and effective project implementation across Kano State.

(NAN)