Kaduna govt maps 22,435 hectares of land for restoration

From Femi Oyelola Kaduna

The Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani has announced that the state has identified 22,435 hectares of degraded land for restoration through advanced geospatial mapping technologies, as part of the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) program.

The governor stated that this development represents a significant step in Kaduna’s climate resilience efforts, as the state intensifies its measures to combat environmental degradation and promote sustainable land practices.

Speaking at the ACReSAL mid-term review meeting held in Kaduna, the governor who was represented by the Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Abubakar Buba, explained that geospatial tools have enabled the state to precisely identify degraded areas, allowing for targeted and effective restoration actions. He emphasized that the initiative aims not only to restore ecosystems but also to boost agricultural productivity and the livelihoods of local communities.

The governor also mentioned that Kaduna is complementing its land restoration efforts with livelihood programs, including training over 500 women, youth, and school feeding vendors in biomass briquette production.

He noted that this program is already helping reduce reliance on firewood and creating alternative income sources for participants.

Sani further disclosed that over 160 kilometers of drainage channels have been desilted to combat urban flooding and enhance environmental conditions in key areas.

He added that the state has also developed a 10-year climate change policy to institutionalize sustainability and guide long-term environmental planning.

He emphasized the importance of stronger collaboration among stakeholders to accelerate the implementation of the ACReSAL project. Federal officials echoed this call for increased speed during the review meeting.

Earlier, the Minister of Environment and Chairman of the Federal Steering Committee, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, described the mid-term review as a vital platform for evaluating progress and speeding up delivery. He stated that the project has achieved notable successes in land restoration, afforestation, and livelihood support across participating states.

He also urged stakeholders to expand efforts to meet the project’s goals within the designated timeframe. Other ministers highlighted the project’s broader impact on national priorities.

The Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, emphasized that restoring degraded land is crucial for increasing food production. The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Joseph Terlumun Utsev, highlighted the link between land degradation and water scarcity, noting that landscape restoration will improve water availability for communities and agriculture.