By Stella Odueme
In a strategic move to combat climate change and promote environmental sustainability, Nasarawa State Agro Climatic Resilience and Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACRESAL) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Green Sahara Farms and other private firms for the production of over one million seedlings in the state.
The private firms involved in the partnership include Agro Prociso Limited (Abuja), Midwest Agro Services Limited (Abuja), Green Environmental Solutions Initiative (Yola), and Green Sahara Farms (Lafia).
The MOU signing ceremony, held in Lafia, marks the beginning of a strategic partnership aimed at enhancing agro-climatic resilience, tackling semi-arid landscape challenges, and fostering the state’s environmental sustainability. The collaboration also includes setting up research centers to support students from tertiary institutions in Nasarawa State.
The State Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Mr. Yakubu Kwanta, who signed the MOU on behalf of ACRESAL, emphasized the broad scope of the partnership. He highlighted that it extends beyond seedling production to also include research initiatives.
“This agreement is not only about seedlings but also about building research hubs that will provide practical learning opportunities for our students,” Mr. Kwanta stated.
As the Chairman of the Steering Committee for ACRESAL, Mr. Kwanta assured the private firms of the state government’s full support, stressing Nasarawa’s commitment to providing a conducive environment for businesses to thrive.
He equally urged the host communities to back the investors to ensure the success of the project, which will contribute significantly to the state’s revenue base.
In his part, Nasarawa State ACRESAL Coordinator, Dr. Napoleon Gyobe, expressed optimism about the partnership’s potential to address climate change issues in the region.
He noted that the project would help restore degraded landscapes and build resilience against environmental challenges.
Mr. Robert Garba, who represented the private firms during the ceremony, reiterated the key points of the partnership.
He expressed confidence that the collaboration would create substantial job opportunities for the youth in Nasarawa State. According to him, the initiative, through its broad climate action focus, will foster economic growth and community development.
Green Sahara’s involvement in the project remains significant.
As part of the agreement, Green Sahara Farms will establish a nursery site in Akwanga, Nasarawa State, dedicated to producing seedlings for the initiative.
This MOU also marks a major milestone for Green Sahara Farms’ Public-Private Partnership (PPP) program, which focuses on sustainable environmental projects in collaboration with government bodies.
This collaboration is expected to boost Nasarawa State’s efforts to tackle climate-related challenges, enhance agricultural resilience, and provide sustainable economic opportunities for the local communities. And Nigeria as a whole.
