Umar Sani
A non-governmental organisation, Rural Urban Women Green Initiative, established by the Female Academic Staff of the Faculty of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, has joined the climate action and women’s empowerment programme.
Extending its outreach to local communities, the group distributed 250 tree seedlings to women in Malmo village, Durum ward, Bauchi Local Government Area, a community neighbouring the university.
The initiative, according to the chairperson of the group, Professor Khadijat Musa, aims to combat climate change while providing sustainable empowerment to women through environmental conservation efforts.
She highlighted that, “The initiative chose tree planting as a key component of green initiative due to its immense environmental benefits.
“We chose tree planting because it is essential for our green initiative. Knowing the importance of trees, we need them to purify the air, cool the environment, and help control the adverse effects of strong windstorms. This is why we decided to focus on tree planting.”
The don encouraged the beneficiaries to nurture the seedlings, emphasising the long-term advantages they could provide.
“My message to the beneficiaries is that they should nurture these plants so they grow and provide shelter in the future. These trees can also produce sweet edible fruits that will improve the nutritional intake of their children. I advise them to take good care of the trees so they can benefit from them in the years to come,” stared the Prof.
Continuing, she added, “Also, the tree-planting project, supported by the Rural Urban Women Green Initiative, is part of a larger effort to promote environmental sustainability while empowering women in rural areas. The initiative aims to create a lasting impact by combining climate resilience with social empowerment, “she stated.
Also speaking, a member of the Initiative, Dr. Rashida Abdulmumini, provided insight into the practical aspects of tree planting and care.
Dr. Rashida from the Faculty of Agriculture at the same university emphasised that “The tree seedlings distributed to the women of Malmo village are relatively easy to manage with routine care, particularly during the dry season.
“The basic maintenance includes regular watering, especially when rainfall is scarce, and the application of natural fertilisers to enhance soil quality.”
She pointed out that due to soil degradation in many areas, the use of cow dung and other animal waste is recommended to enrich the soil and improve the trees’ chances of thriving.
“The trees we brought to Malmo are easy to handle. During the dry season, the women will need to water the trees regularly. We also recommend the use of cow dung or other animal waste as fertiliser because the soil may no longer support the plants without supplementation.”
Rashida also underscored the relevance of pest control and the measures necessary to ensure the trees grow healthily.
She noted that insects and plant diseases can pose significant challenges, and as a preventive measure, agrochemicals might need to be applied.
Additionally, she offered practical advice for the planting process itself, urging the women to carefully inspect the holes for termites and other potential threats before placing the seedlings in the ground.
“Before planting, the women should carefully check inside the holes to ensure there are no termites, as they can hinder tree growth. If there are any pests or other harmful organisms in the soil, they should be removed before planting the trees,” she advised.
On her part, Dr. Nuratu Adamu, an animal scientist, emphasised the critical role trees play in enhancing animal productivity, particularly as a source of shade for livestock.
She explained further, “The effects of climate change, especially the increasingly severe hot weather during the hottest months, have negatively impacted animal productivity.
“Animals, like humans, are affected by extreme heat,” Dr. Nuratu noted urging animal rearers to plant more trees to create a cooler environment that can boost animal productivity.”
She noted that poultry, in particular, is highly vulnerable to hot weather.
Nuratu advised poultry farmers to plant trees around their fence, explaining that this would provide a more comfortable environment for the birds, which in turn could help mitigate the negative effects of heat on growth, egg production, and egg size.
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