By Chuks Oyema-Aziken
The National Agency for the Great Green Wall (NAGGW), has identified Zai tree planting as a means to combatting drought and desertification in Nigeria.
A press release from NAGGW said the Director General of the Agency, Dr Yusuf Maina Bukur, made this known during a training for it’s Field Officers.
Head, Information & Corporate Communications Unit, NAGGW, Mrs Sule Pauline said in the press release that the training was organised to build capacity of the Field Officers especially on the best method used in conserving water during tree planting.
The Director General later led a demonstration of the Zai method of planting trees, also known as the Half Moon method, the press release stated.
It further stated that the method is effective in retaining moisture in the soil, reducing water loss, increase soil fertility which ultimately helps the tree to grow.
The Director General disclosed that the ZAI method of tree planting had been in practice in most of the Sub-Saharan countries, such as Burkina Faso.
Marina Bukar said, “We went to a meeting in Abidjan, and we saw how many countries were practising this system of planting. So, we thought Nigeria ought to do better, and that is why we are adopting this system, to improve tree plantation in the country.”
The Director-General noted that one of the most important things was the introduction and the use of Groasis Waterboxx a large water container with the capacity to retain water for about three to five months, and which could also be used repeatedly.
He remarked that “we need to employ methods in which we can make use of our flowing water, especially as water is a scarce resource.”
The Director-General stated that the meeting would guide the staff of the Agency in delivering on the mandates, strategies and plans of the agency effectively in its 11 frontline states.
