As part of efforts on food security, the federal government has commenced the disbursement of N3 billion to boost agriculture and mitigate climate change impacts in Northern Nigeria.
LEADERSHIP Weekend gathered that the amount has been allocated to 80 communities in eight states in the region to help alleviate the impact of climate change, boost agriculture development and reduce poverty.

The national project coordinator, ACReSAL project, Mr. Abudulhamid Umar, said the decision was anchored on four pillars: dryland management, community climate resilience, institutional strengthening and project management and contingent emergency response.

He said the project is focused on natural regeneration of tree cover, soil and water conservation, watershed planning, water harvesting, water resources management, integrated nutrient management, low tillage, secure biodiversity and agro-forestry.

Umar , who further stated that the initiative aims to bring relief and sustainable solutions to identified resilient communities, added that the fund was being disbursed to the communities through the Community Revolving Funds (CRF) initiative of the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) project.

Asserting that ACReSAL as a six-year federal government project with funding and support from the World Bank, the national project coordinator recalled that recently, there was a joint World Bank/FAO/FGN hybrid implementation support mission on ACReSAL to Nasarawa, Benue, Adamawa, Taraba and Kwara states.

He said the project’s assessment mission included workshops, field visits, community and stakeholder engagements, and interactive sessions to share knowledge, best practices and innovative solutions. While in Nasarawa State, the Community Revolving Fund (CRF) was launched in 10 pilot communities.

Meanwhile, a senior environmentalist and World Bank task team leader for the ACReSAL project in Nigeria, Dr. Joy Iganya-Agene, has said the Community Resolving Fund (CRF) loan scheme was designed by ACReSAL to support farmers and agro-business initiatives through Community Interest Groups (CIGs) in various communities.

According to her, CRF has been piloted in eight of the northern states including Jigawa, Nasarawa, Benue, Kebbi, Kogi, Yobe, Gombe, and Bauchi. Each of the eight states has obtained $250, 000 (N380 million).

ACReSAL is a multi-sectoral and multi-level project of the federal government of Nigeria, with a $700 million loan from the International Development Association of the World Bank to support the 19 northern states and the FCT in tackling environmental and ecological challenges. She added that ACReSAL’s goal is to restore one million hectares of degraded land in northern Nigeria, in line with the federal government’s larger objective of restoring four million hectares of degraded landscapes by 2030.

ACReSAL is set up to check the menace of desertification, develop special ecosystems, improve water resources management and catalyse sustainable agricultural production in the region. The initiative will help achieve food security and climate change by building stronger national agricultural data systems.

“This region is characteriesed by high poverty, deforestation, low literacy rates, environment of fragility, conflicts, various levels of violence, depletion of natural resources, poor agricultural productivity, climate risks, desertification, poor penetration of modern technology and weak institutional capacity. Addressing these issues will require effort in multiple sectors.

All these forms the foundation for ascertaining the goals set to achieve food security and inclusive green growth through innovative financing instruments, improved technical and capacity building mechanisms, and comprehensive policy frameworks for land use and watershed planning and climate change adaptation techniques.

She emphasised the initiative’s commitment to funding projects aimed at improving livelihoods and uplifting communities. Doma local government area stands as the inaugural beneficiary of the ACReSAL Community Revolving Fund in Nasarawa State, designed to bolster agricultural livelihoods and overall standards of living while contributing to sustainable environment.

The ACReSAL project became effective in June 2022 and would be closed in March 2028. Each State and FCT is managed by a State Project Management Unit (SPMU).

The executive hovernor of Nasarawa State, Engr. Abdullahi A. Sule at Doma local government rea, disbursed the Community Revolving Funds (CRF) cheques to beneficiaries in 10 communities from Doma and Toto LGAs.

Engr. Abdulahi Sule, highlighted the proactive approach towards promoting climate-smart agriculture and empowering local farmers through ACReSAL.

To the governor, the CRF initiative is pivotal in Nasarawa State’s drive to eradicate poverty and elevate the standard of living among its communities. He enthused the collaboration with esteemed partners such as the World Bank and Food and Agriculture Organidation of United Nations (FAO) arguing that the collaboration would not only enhance productivity and ensure food security but also catalyse economic growth across the state.

LEADERSHIP gathered that at the implementation support mission in Benue State, the governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, also disbursed a total of N380 million ($250,000.00) cheques to community interest groups to undertake climate smart agricultural activities in the state.

He also commissioned 33 new tractors for use by farmers in the state to boost agricultural productivity.

The state , according to the governor has paid N1billion as counterpart fund for the ACReSAL programme, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to providing the needed support for the ACReSAL Project to continue to thrive in Benue for the overall good of the people of the state.

Earlier, the senior Environmental Specialist at the World Bank Nigeria office, who also doubles as the task Team Leader for the ACReSAL project, Dr Joy Iganya Agene, said the team were in the state to assess, support and look at the bottlenecks of the programme in Benue, stating that they discovered no bottlenecks, be an indication the programme has so far recorded great success in the state.

She commended the government of Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia and the ACReSAL team in the state for playing their respective roles, saying Benue stands to gain more from the programme, urging the government to continue to strengthen the needed institutions in order to continue to gain more benefits.

Also in his remarks, the National Project Coordinator for the ACReSAL Project, Abdulhamid Umar, appreciated Governor Alia’s admiration for supporting ACReSAL and the World Bank for making funds available for the CFR programme, expressing happiness with the success the programme has recorded so far in Benue.

The benefitting Community Revolving Fund (CRF) groups in the State in Makurdi watershed include Wadata, North Bank, Wurukum, Modern Market and Adeke. Beneficiaries in Vandeikya watershed are: Mbagbera, Branch Atser, Mbayongo, High-Level/Township and Ute.

While receiving the ACReSAL Team, the Adamawa State Commissioner for Environment, Alh. Mohammed Sadiq declared that “ACReSAL has become a household name in Adamawa state, and I am very happy to be part of this laudable initiative” he said.

Over 20,000 farmers have been trained on regenerative agriculture and landscapes restoration across 21 local government areas in the state. Some farmers have been provided with the use of one acre of land each for a period of 10 years, free of charge, along with agricultural inputs. Additionally, many communities now have access to clean solar-powered boreholes for drinkable water, and we are witnessing a significant improvement in dry season farming.”

Dr. Joy Iganya Agene, Task Team Leader for the ACReSAL Project, announced that ACReSAL will support farmers and agro-business initiatives through its Community Resolving Fund (CRF) loan scheme. “We will provide loans to 140 communities in Adamawa state to support their agro-business initiatives. She encouraged the Adamawa State ACReSAL Project Management Unit (PMU) to scale up the intervention and monitor the projects closely to ensure impacts on communities, sustainability, and effective utilization of the funds.” She thanked Governor Fintiri, the commissioners, and the entire team for their efforts to ensure the project’s success in the state.

In Kwara State, the Agro-Climate Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscape (ACReSAL), has committed to backing the State Government’s initiative to revitalize Asa Dam waterworks as part of the state’s strategy to boost potable water supply in the state capital, Ilorin.

Abdulhamid Umar, the National Project Coordinator for the ACReSAL disclosed this recently during an assessment study of Asa and Agba dams, the Eruda Bridge in Ilorin, and other environmentally challenging spots in the state.

Dr. Joy Agene, the Task Team Leader for the ACReSAL, highlighted the project’s aim to support vulnerable communities and improve their livelihoods. She emphasized the inclusion of marginalized groups, such as women, youths, and the elderly, urging public cooperation to ensure the project’s success.

She confirmed the approval for the procurement of tractors, swamp buggy and disbursement of $250,000.00 each to 50 communities under the project’s Community Resolving Funds (CRF) loans initiative in Kwara State, all these are for the well being of Kwarans and for a sustainable environment.