Drought: Great Green Wall urges tree planting in Nigeria
Story from Shafaatu DAUDA, Kano
The Director General of the National Agency for the Great Green Wall, Dr Yusuf Maina Bukar, said the commission is determined to ensure that the best methods of tree planting and rearing are learned in the country to solve the problems of drought and desertification.
READ ALSO: PMB appoints Maina Bukar as Great Green Wall DG
Dr Bukar stated this during a meeting with the field officers of the agency held in Kano State.
He said that the purpose of the meeting was to improve the efficiency of the officials in charge of the land, especially on the best method used to conserve water during tree planting.
READ ALSO: Gov. Buni congratulates Maina Bukar on  emergence as Great Green Wall DG
The DG, who led the administrative staff and field officers in an exhibition of the ZAI method of tree planting system known as the half moon system said it helps to maintain water in the soil to retain moisture and help the trees to grow.
“This method of planting has been in practice in many African countries such as Burkina Faso and many others.
“We went to a meeting at Abidjan and we saw how many countries were practicing this system of planting, so we thought Nigeria ought to do better, that’s why we adopt the system to improve trees plantation in the country,” he said.
The Director-General noted that the most important thing is to introduce and use a large container of water that can hold water for about three to five months and can be used regularly.
“We need to implore methods in which we can make use of our flower’s water, especially with regards that water is a scarce resource.
Alhaji Bukar explained that the meeting will be very helpful in guiding the staff of the agency to implement the strategies and plans of the agency properly.
He added that the 11 frontline states included in the agency are Adamawa, Borno, Jigawa, Kano, Yobe, Bauchi, Gombe, Zamfara, Sokoto, and Kebbi States.
