Desertification: NPAD to raise, distribute 500, 000 seedlings in Jigawa

The National Programme of Action against Desertification (NPAD) is to raise and distribute 500,000 seedlings in Shabarun-Jeke village, Suletankarkar Local Government Area of Jigawa.

The Information Officer in charge of the agency, Alhaji Daudu Sulaiman, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Dutse.

He said the National Coordinator of the programme, Mr. Fameso Thomas. made the disclosure when he led officials of the NPAD to a courtesy visit on the Caretaker Committee of the local council, Alhaji Haladu Bulama.

The Information Officer quoted Thomas as saying that the seedlings would be distributed to farmers and other individuals to plant in their farms and houses to curtail desert encroachment.

According to him, the agency would drill solar powered boreholes in the area to enhance access to safe drinking water, as well as establish three kilometer shelter belt.
In addition,the agency would establish five hectares of orchard in the project being jointly sponsored by the European Union (EU) and the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO).
Also in his remarks at the occasion, the Special Adviser to Gov. Badaru on environment, Alhaji Ali Sule, noted that the state government had raised and distributed more than two million seedlings and established 10 kilometer shelter belt as part of efforts to fight desertification.(NAN)