The Oyo State Government has launched a vigorous reforestation campaign through the Nigerian Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP), distributing 40,000 tree seedlings to 400 hundred farmers on the Gambari Forest Reserve and all nearby villages, which include five communities in the state.
The state government distributed seedlings as part of its initiatives to encourage farmers to plant trees in order to stop erosion, restore damaged forest reserves, and preserve a favorable environment.
This was said by Mr. Biodun Oni, the state’s commissioner for environment and natural resources, at a training session and distribution of 40,000 seedlings to 400 farmers at Seriki Adeyinka Community Hall in Oluyole Local Government Area of the state.
The program was organized by the Oyo State Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (OYONEWMAP) in collaboration with the World Bank to improve the ecosystem and support the livelihood of farmers in the state, according to Oni, who also revealed that the seedlings distributed to farmers would be planted in the Gambari Forest Reserve and individual farmlands.
Herbicides, safety boots, knapsacks, sprayers, cutlasses, hoes, rakes, shovels, and watering cans were among the farm equipment distributed to the farmers to help them with their farming endeavors.
Farmers came from the Seriki Adeyinka Adeaga, Balogun, Aboloye Omi Araro, Ojabadan, Buso-Gbooro, Aba-Oke, Aba-James, Onipe, and Agbegi villages that are adjacent to the Gambari Forest Reserve.
The commissioner noted that illegal tree cutting for domestic and industrial use without replacement has put people and the environment in danger. He also mentioned the effects of global warming and climate change on human lives.
He urged the recipients of the farm equipment to put them to good use in order to improve their standard of living.
“We call on the recipients of this gesture to make good use of it as it will definitely have a positive impact on their way of life,” said Oni.
In addition to the farmers’ own benefits, “Humanity as a whole,” our citizens in the State, particularly in the areas where trees are planted, will benefit from a peaceful environment that will help them lead fulfilling lives.
“We all understand the harmful effects of cutting down trees for any reason; deforestation has a negative impact on our quality of life and the environment, so we must take immediate action.”
Dr. Adejoke Akinyele and Dr. Lekan Olajuyigbe of the University of Ibadan’s Forestry Department spoke separately on the topic of “Support to develop and promote availability of tree crops of short rotation for sustainable firewood production,” focusing on the value of protecting the environment and how doing so benefits both humans and the environment.
