700,000 farmers get 21m tree seedlings in Nasarawa, Niger, B

A non-governmental organisation, One Acre Fund Nigeria, has commenced the distribution of over 21 million tree seedlings to 700,000 farmers across Nasarawa, Niger and Bauchi states as part of efforts to address the effects of climate change in the three benefiting states.

One Acre Fund Nigeria is a social enterprise that supports smallholder farmers by providing them with access to quality agricultural inputs, financing, training and farmer-focused services designed to improve productivity and strengthen rural livelihoods.

Speaking at the official flag-off of the 2026 Tree Distribution Programme in Agunji Community, Nasarawa Eggon Local Government Area, on Wednesday, the organisation’s Trees Lead, Zainab Haruna, said the free tree seedlings being distributed to the beneficiaries include Albizia lebbeck, Moringa oleifera and Parkia biglobosa.

According to her, the intervention programme in Nasarawa, Niger and Bauchi states was necessitated by the numerous challenges farmers face as a result of climate change.

She lamented that climate change had continued to negatively affect farmlands by depleting soil nutrients and disrupting rainfall patterns, among other challenges that could threaten food security in the country.

Haruna explained that the tree distribution programme was designed to cushion the challenges faced by farmers and ensure they continue to harvest from their farmlands without hindrance.

“Some of the farmers will be getting our timber species like Albizia lebbeck, Moringa oleifera or Parkia biglobosa, which have multiple uses, including enriching the soil, providing nitrogen-fixing options for depleted soils, providing cover for existing crops on the farmland, or even being used for cooking in the home, which Parkia biglobosa does.

“So, there are various benefits that the trees we are giving to farmers provide. We encourage farmers to ensure that they plant them to reap the benefits, including strengthening the soil, reducing erosion, making soils less prone to flooding, providing long-term assets for farming households, and generally reducing carbon in the atmosphere.

“When we plant trees, they are able to trap atmospheric carbon, which means they reduce the quantity of carbon in the atmosphere. Atmospheric carbon is directly responsible for depleting the ozone layer, which is why, when the ozone layer is depleted, we see that the sun is hotter, rainfall is reduced, and the quality of our soils declines.

“So, by planting more trees, we are directly combating that effect. If all of the trees planted grow to maturity and start trapping atmospheric carbon, we are essentially reducing the chances of those things happening in the future. A tree planted today means a better environment for the future,” she added.

On his part, the Nasarawa State Trees Field Director for One Acre Fund Nigeria, Muhammad Lenfa, reiterated the organisation’s commitment to empowering farmers and intensifying efforts to mitigate the effects of climate change in the state.

He further urged the beneficiaries not to sell the tree seedlings but to make good use of them to improve their livelihoods.

“The issue of climate change is something we all need to tackle collectively, and it starts with nurturing our environment. Some of these tree species are leguminous. For example, Albizia lebbeck is a leguminous plant. It doesn’t really need fertiliser. As it grows, it serves as a windbreaker, preventing strong winds from encroaching on the environment.

“It also has the potential to improve the nutrient status of the soil, enriching it for greater productivity. So, I urge the farmers to collect these seedlings, take good care of them, and ensure they survive so they serve their intended purpose,” he said.

One of the beneficiaries, Helen Jonathan, who spoke on behalf of the others, expressed gratitude to One Acre Fund Nigeria for the tree seedlings and promised to make good use of them to improve their farming activities and livelihoods.