In an effort to change agricultural methods and restore degraded areas, the Nigerian federal government has teamed up with Zander Corporation of the United Kingdom to implement cutting-edge Afforestation technology. As part of this partnership, Zander Corporation has contributed items valued at £250,000 to help reforest Nigeria’s most ecologically sensitive areas. The government’s commitment to afforestation and sustainable land use was underlined by Vice President Kashim Shettima, who also highlighted the potential of these initiatives to improve agricultural output and fight desertification. Successful projects in Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Libya, and Southern Spain serve as the paradigm for the collaboration. In these countries, Zander Corporation’s Technology has improved sustainable vegetation in arid soils and drastically decreased Irrigation costs.
At a conference held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Shettima emphasised the use of cutting-edge technology in combating Desertification and promoted diversification into products with high demand, such as cashews. He also pledged federal help, pointing to Sokoto State’s current pledge and anticipating Borno and Katsina to follow suit. Zander Corporation’s commitment to Nigeria’s agricultural reform was reiterated by Lord Oxford, a representative of the organisation. Having operated in Nigeria for more than 12 years, he said, the company sees a lot of promise in producing its goods there, which may lower costs and generate employment.
Food Insecurity and Poverty have increased as a result of soil erosion.
The National Agency for the Great Green Wall (NAGGW) has also pledged to use the technology, and a committee is in charge of deploying it in test projects in the states of Katsina, Borno, and Sokoto. In order to improve soil fertility and moisture retention and promote vegetation development in arid areas, Zander Corporation’s afforestation technique makes use of cutting-edge biotechnology. This strategy has been effectively applied in Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Libya, and southern Spain, where it has created sustainable vegetation on formerly arid soils and drastically decreased irrigation expenses.
Desertification is a serious concern in Nigeria, especially in the country’s north. About 40 million people live in 15 northern states, including Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Jigawa, Kano, Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto, and Kebbi, where desertification threatens to destroy about 43.3% of the nation’s land area. Food insecurity and poverty have increased as a result of soil erosion, nutrient loss, and decreased agricultural output in these areas. By carrying out a five-hectare trial project in Katsina, Borno, and Sokoto states, the collaboration between the Nigerian government and Zander Corporation seeks to address these issues.
Project to repair 350,000 hectares of degraded soils in 20 northern states.
By 2028, the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) project, which includes this program, aims to repair 350,000 hectares of degraded soils in 20 northern states. The pilot project is anticipated to start during the next planting season, which is usually in June or July, after thorough training sessions for stakeholders and local agronomists. However, the project’s success may be hampered by a few issues. Even when the initial investments have been made, continuing financial support is essential to the project’s success in order to guarantee continued operations and growth.
To establish a unified framework that effectively combats desertification and promotes afforestation operations, coordination between the federal, state, and municipal administrations is crucial. For the project to be sustainable, it is essential that local communities receive sufficient training on how to use and maintain the new equipment. The effort has been met with excitement by local populations that are directly affected by desertification. Conflicts over diminishing resources have escalated and agricultural outputs have decreased for farmers and herders in the impacted areas. They anticipate their lands will be revitalised, crop yields will increase, and livelihoods will be restored with the implementation of cutting-edge afforestation technologies.
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It is essential to involve these communities in the planning and execution stages in order to customise solutions to meet their unique requirements and guarantee the project’s success. The partnership between Zander Corporation and Nigeria is a big milestone in the fight against desertification. The effort seeks to improve the livelihoods of millions of people impacted by desertification, rehabilitate degraded lands, and increase Agricultural Productivity by utilising cutting-edge biotechnology. The project’s long-term viability depends on addressing possible obstacles with consistent funding, coordinated policy, and community involvement.