The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations has emphasized the importance of land restoration efforts in achieving sustainable development and food security in Nigeria.

The organisation emphasized that land degradation and desertification are pressing issues that require immediate attention and action

FAO Country Representative in Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mr. Koffy Dominique stated this at the opening of Collect Earth Training and Biophysical Data Collections for Africa’s Great Green Wall, ACReSAL and Africa Open DEAL held at the Centre for Dryland Agriculture.

He emphasized that land degradation and desertification are pressing issues that require immediate attention and action.

Dominique emphasized that land degradation and desertification are pressing issues that require immediate attention and action.

Citing statistics and research, he pointed out that land degradation affects not only the environment but also the livelihoods of millions of people, particularly in Africa,’’ Agbesor said.

Koffy Dominique represented by Focal Point for the FAO’s ACReSAL Project, Mr. Precious Agbesor went on to underscore the importance of monitoring and evaluation in ensuring the success of land restoration initiatives.

He stressed that without proper monitoring and evaluation, it is difficult to assess progress, identify areas of improvement, and make necessary adjustments. He encouraged participants to think critically about the importance of data collection, analysis, and reporting in informing decision-making.

Agbesor encouraged participants to make the most of this unique opportunity to participate in the hands-on “Collect Earth Advanced Training and Mapathon for Africa’s Great Green Wall” program. He emphasized that this was a chance to gain valuable skills and knowledge in using digital mapping technology to address land degradation issues. He also highlighted that this was a critical step towards achieving the African Union’s Agenda 2063 goal of revitalizing Africa’s ecosystems.

In a remark, Associate Professor Murtala Badamosi, the Coordinator of the Centre for Dry Land Agriculture at Bayero University of Kano, Nigeria, expressed delight at hosting the ACReSAL Collect Earth training at the Centre.

Badamosi emphasized the commitment of the Centre to the ACReSAL agenda, highlighting the importance of monitoring and evaluation in ensuring the success of land restoration efforts.

He noted that monitoring and evaluation were critical components of any project, as they allowed for assessing progress, identifying areas for improvement, and making informed decisions.

Badamosi emphasized that land restoration was an urgent issue that required immediate attention. He noted that the degradation of land was having devastating effects on the environment, ecosystems, and human communities.

He urged participants to take their responsibilities seriously and to utilize the technical knowledge and resources provided during the training to make a positive impact in their communities.

The CDA Director also highlighted the importance of collaboration and partnership in achieving land restoration goals.

He acknowledged the role of international organizations like FAO in supporting national efforts towards sustainable land management. He emphasized that partnerships were crucial in sharing knowledge, expertise, and resources to achieve common goals.

On his part, the Kano State ACReSAL Project Coordinator, Dr. Dahir M. Hashim expressed commitment and support to the success of the training, emphasizing the significance of the Collect Earth Advanced Training for the pioneers of monitoring and evaluation processes in their respective states.

Dr. Hashim noted that the training was a crucial step towards ensuring the sustainability of the ACReSAL Land Restoration project.

He noted that the project would not only benefit the environment but also contribute significantly to the economic growth and development of Kano State.

He praised the participants for their dedication and commitment to their work, noting that they would be playing a vital role in implementing the project’s objectives.

The Project Coordinator acknowledged the efforts of the FAO team in organizing the training, emphasizing that the collaboration between ACReSAL and FAO would be crucial in achieving the project’s goals.

ACReSAL National Project Coordinator, Mr Umar Abdulhamid said that this partnership between Nigeria and the FAO would be a valuable asset, hoping that the Federal Government representatives would translate this collaboration into tangible implementation results.

The Director General, National Agency for the Great Green Wall (GWW) , Dr. Yusuf Maina-Bukar underscored the importance of sustaining the monitoring and evaluation aspect of land restoration projects.

He stressed that effective monitoring would enable accurate tracking of progress, identify areas for improvement, and ensure that project goals were being met and that this was not only essential for achieving tangible results but also for building trust and credibility among stakeholders.

The Director General, National Agency for the Great Green Wall (GWW) , Dr. Yusuf Maina-Bukar underscored the importance of sustaining the monitoring and evaluation aspect of land restoration projects.

He stressed that effective monitoring would enable accurate tracking of progress, identify areas for improvement, and ensure that project goals were being met and that this was not only essential for achieving tangible results but also for building trust and credibility among stakeholders.

 Reports indicate  that certificates were presented to participants after the week-long training session.