The Plateau Agricultural Development Programme (PADP) says it will plant 200,000 economic trees across the 17 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state this year to mitigate effect of climate change.
Mr. Ishaku Jilemsam, PADP, Programme Manager, disclosed this on Thursday, May 8, 2025, at the ongoing training on Smart Agriculture organised for women in Bassa Local Government Area of the state.
The training is organised by Mr. Nuhu Yakubu, the Special Adviser to Gov. Caleb Mutfwang on Sustainable Technology and Carbon Credit Management.
Jilemsam said that the move was part of measures aimed at tackling climate change in the state.
“You will recall that we planted 100,000 economic trees in 2024, this year, we will plant 200,000.
“We realise that if you plant just any kind of trees, farmers might still cut them down, but if you plant trees with economic benefits, they are likely not to cut them down.
“I have made requests to all the local government chairmen to provide us with 500 hectares of land each for this purpose.
“So far, some of the chairmen have come forward to say they are making available the land,” he said.
Jilemsam, who commended the special adviser for organising the training, said that the move would promote eco-friendly agricultural practices.
He said that climate change and security challenges had necessitated the need for farmers to embrace smart agricultural practices.
Jilemsam, who advised farmers to pay close attention to weather forecast, also called on them to plant early maturing crops.
“This year we are going to have a shorter rainy season. You know that most of our farmers depend on rain, so shorter rainy season means you should get early maturing varieties.
“Farmers should get drought resistant varieties that do not need so much water to mature, we advise our people to practice sack farming at home. It’s working,” Jilemsam said.
Earlier, Yakubu in his remarks said that the exercise aimed at responding to the challenges of climate change.
He explained that the training would equip the women with the necessary skills and knowledge to practice eco-friendly farming.
The special adviser added that the exercise would enable government to generate accurate data towards proper planning.
By Polycarp Auta