Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes

Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) is a six-year project funded by the World Bank, aimed at restoring degraded landscapes in Northern Nigeria. The region is marked by significant challenges, including high poverty rates, low literacy levels, and an environment of fragility, conflict, and violence. The degradation of natural resources, poor agricultural productivity, and climate risks like desertification further complicate the situation. Additionally, the area suffers from poor penetration of modern technology and weak institutional capacity.

Objectives and Scope

The primary objective of the ACReSAL project is to increase the implementation of sustainable landscape management practices within targeted watersheds across Northern Nigeria. The project aims to strengthen Nigeria's capacity for integrated climate-resilient landscape management. By 2028, ACReSAL aims to restore 1 million hectares of degraded land, contributing to President Muhammadu Buhari's broader goal of restoring 4 million hectares of degraded agricultural land by 2030.

ACReSAL addresses multiple sectors, including environment, agriculture, and water resources, to combat desertification, restore ecosystems, and improve agricultural productivity. The project seeks to reduce conflicts between herders and farmers by improving land use planning, fostering community cohesion, and promoting peacebuilding efforts.

Key Interventions

ACReSAL's interventions are designed to enhance the resilience of communities in semi-arid regions. Key activities include ecosystem restoration, flood and sedimentation control, and the stabilization of sand dunes. The project also focuses on developing watershed infrastructure, such as integrated dams, small-scale multipurpose reservoirs, and irrigation systems. These efforts are aimed at helping communities adapt to the evolving dryland conditions and reducing the negative impact of climate change on agricultural productivity.

Institutional and Sustainability Measures

To ensure the sustainability of its interventions, ACReSAL emphasizes the importance of strengthening institutions and information services across sectors and states. This includes support for improved governance, regulatory compliance, environmental monitoring, and impact evaluation. By reinforcing watershed and land use planning, the project aims to build Nigeria's long-term capacity to implement climate-resilient projects.

The Federal Ministry of Environment serves as the lead implementing agency for ACReSAL, working in collaboration with the Federal Ministries of Water Resources, and Agriculture and Rural Development. The multi-sectoral and multi-institutional nature of the project ensures that it addresses the complex and interconnected challenges facing Northern Nigeria.

Gombe State’s Commitment to Environmental Resilience

Gombe State Governor, Alhaji Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, has reiterated his administration's commitment to addressing environmental degradation and building resilience for sustainable economic development. Speaking at the official launch of the Project Implementation Support Mission of the Gombe State ACReSAL, held at the Government House in Gombe, Governor Yahaya highlighted the severe environmental challenges faced by the state due to its unique geography.

Governor Yahaya noted that Gombe State is among the most affected by environmental issues such as flooding, erratic rainfall patterns, desert encroachment, and diminishing arable lands, all of which have significantly impacted agricultural productivity and the livelihoods of the people. He emphasized that the looming threat of hunger in the country is closely linked to environmental degradation.

Upon assuming office in 2019, Governor Yahaya prioritized environmental initiatives, including paying counterpart funds for the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP), leading to several developmental projects in the state. One of his administration's flagship initiatives, the Gombe Goes Green (3G) project, aims to combat desertification, deforestation, and soil degradation by planting four million trees over four years. This project has also provided employment for approximately 27,000 youths.

In addition to the 3G project, the Gombe State government partnered with NEWMAP to address severe erosion issues, such as those affecting the Gombe State University and Malam Inna Community. The state government further demonstrated its commitment to the ACReSAL project by paying 573 million Naira in counterpart funding and fulfilling all requirements for participation.

Governor Yahaya assured that his administration would continue to support the successful implementation of ACReSAL in Gombe State, including providing additional financial backing. He recently inaugurated a committee dedicated to restoring cattle routes, grazing lands, forests, and game reserves within the state, underscoring his government's dedication to natural resource conservation and environmental sustainability.