About 4.5 million tree seedlings have been planted in Katsina state under the Improved Fuel Wood Balance project supported by the European Union (EU), the Project Manager, Dr Chris Udoke, has said.
The project is aimed at addressing desertification, encourage the use of efficient stoves as well as empower local women for self sufficiency.
Speaking at the third Annual National Review Seminar, Udoke said it was expected that before the expiration of the five-year project no fewer than 5.5 million trees would be planted.
According to him, 11 local governments namely, Rimi, Batsari, Jibia, Batagarawa, Daura, Baure, Sandamu, Mai’adua, Zango, Mashi and Kaita are taking part in the project in which so far 7,500 farmlands with a total of 48,000 hectares have been covered.
We are targeting to improve the lives of at least 275,000 people. Already 23,000 Mud Efficiently Stoves have also been sold to people in the areas, he added.
In his remarks, the state Commissioner of Environment, Alhaji Hamza Suleiman, said the state government has paid N59 million counterpart funds for the project and bought 34,000 Stoves for distribution.
