Jigawa state is set to witness significant improvements in water availability and environmental health as the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) initiative launches plans to install solar-powered boreholes and establish tree nurseries in five local government areas (LGAs) within the state.
Yahaya Muhammad, the State Project Coordinator, announced this development during a press briefing in Dutse on Tuesday.
According to Muhammad, the solar-powered boreholes will be strategically drilled in Auyo, Babura, Birnin Kudu, Kafin Hausa, and Suletankarkar LGAs.
The primary objective of this endeavor is to alleviate water scarcity and enhance water usability for households and farmers, aligning with the overarching goals of the ACReSAL project.
ACReSAL, facilitated by the World Bank, aims to combat environmental degradation, desertification, and related issues in the 19 northern states of Nigeria.
Muhammad emphasized that this intervention holds the potential to not only bolster agricultural activities but also uplift the quality of life for communities.
Furthermore, the establishment of tree nurseries will play a vital role in countering desertification and soil erosion, contributing to sustainable environmental practices.
The Jigawa Government’s commitment to environmental conservation is evident through its ongoing efforts to plant millions of trees, distributing them to residents for planting across communities, farmlands, and roadways.
The ACReSAL project aligns with Nigeria’s broader development goals by promoting sustainable landscape management practices in targeted watersheds in northern Nigeria.
The initiative also aims to strengthen Nigeria’s capacity for integrated climate-resilient landscape management.
Comprising four essential components, the ACReSAL project’s first facet focuses on dry land management.
This aspect entails implementing integrated watershed management plans to address significant challenges associated with large-scale watershed degradation in northern Nigeria.
As the ACReSAL initiative gains momentum, its interventions are poised to bring about positive transformations in water access, environmental conservation, and climate resilience within Jigawa state.