***Boosts Agriculture with Tractors and Input Packages
By Muhammed Danjuma Ogwu, Lafia
The Nasarawa State Government, in collaboration with the World Bank through the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) project, has disbursed N744 million in compensation to communities affected by gully erosion across Lafia-Doma and Toto Local Government Areas.
Speaking in Lafia, the State Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Princess Margaret Elayo, said the compensation is part of the state’s commitment to environmental sustainability, agricultural development, and community resilience.
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The ACReSAL project, which is being implemented in 19 northern states and the FCT, aims to promote sustainable watershed management, climate-smart agriculture, and community-driven development.
As part of the initiative, 25 fully equipped tractors were also commissioned and handed over to farmers across the state.
“This intervention has yielded bumper harvests and improved household income and food security, which your Excellency has consistently championed,” said Princess Elayo.
She announced the distribution of a comprehensive input package to 8,600 farmers, including, 3,000 bags of fertilizer, insecticides and improved seeds, Planters, sprayers, irrigation pumps, and rice reapers, Rain boots, overalls, and power tillers
These inputs are designed to boost productivity in both wet and dry farming seasons across all 13 LGAs.
The Commissioner also revealed that 86 Community Interest Groups (CIGs) have been formed, directly benefiting over 2,500 smallholder farmers through the Community Revolving Fund (CRF). Many farmers have already begun repaying their loans, enabling a sustainable cycle of funding for future planting seasons.
In further efforts to restore degraded landscapes, ACReSAL has planted 100,000 Terrina trees across 2,834 acres in the Oyina Forest Reserve, and installed 40 boreholes. Borehole rehabilitation projects are also ongoing in several communities to support water access for agriculture and domestic use.
The project’s Task Team Leader and World Bank Senior Environmental Specialist, Dr. Joy Iganya Agene, commended Governor Abdullahi Sule for his consistent support and for providing an enabling environment for the ACReSAL project to thrive.
“The governor approved $250,000 for CRF communities in Doma and Toto LGAs, and also facilitated the establishment of a dedicated ACReSAL complex,” she noted.
She praised the state’s transparency, its passing of the ACReSAL Agency Establishment Bill, and the commitment of traditional rulers and grassroots leaders in ensuring community ownership and sustainability.
The State Coordinator of the ACReSAL project, Dr. Napoleon Elias, alongside National Coordinator Abdulhamid Umar, explained that the project encompasses multiple ministries, including Environment, Agriculture, and Water Resources.
He stated that four gully erosion sites were inherited under the project—Lafia-Doma, Toto, Keffi, and Nasarawa—but priority was given to Lafia-Doma and Toto, where contracts have now been awarded and work has commenced.
According to him, CIG groups have been formed across two catchment areas (Lafia-Doma and Toto), and those not directly affected by erosion have been empowered to engage in climate-smart agriculture. Notably, some CIG groups have begun repaying loans: One group in Toto LGA returned N14 million, Another in Doma LGA returned N2.7 million
“We’re working towards establishing 10 catchment areas in Nasarawa. The 25 tractors will be distributed accordingly, including to local government development areas,” Dr. Elias added.
He said Nasarawa has already restored 5,900 hectares of degraded land, with a goal of 50,000 hectares over six years. Restoration works have also reached the Shariga Forest Reserve, which borders Wamba and Akwanga LGAs.
While inaugurating the tractors and input packages, Governor Abdullahi Sule expressed appreciation to the World Bank for initiating ACReSAL shortly after the conclusion of the NEWMAP project. He praised Dr. Agene and her team for their faith in Nasarawa State.
“We have the land, the expertise, the willing beneficiaries, and a peaceful environment. That is why our farmers are repaying their loans and driving growth,” Governor Sule said.
He urged citizens to align with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda on agriculture, and emphasized his administration’s focus on transparency and sustainability.
The governor also announced the award of contracts for the construction of key roads:
A road linking Awe (Nasarawa) to Guma (Benue State), A road from Agwada to Udege, funded through Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to ease farm produce transportation
Sule called on local government chairmen to support project beneficiaries and ensure proper fund utilization.
“My vision is to build a foundation that will outlive my administration—sustainable, transparent, and impactful,” he concluded.
