The National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA) has launched a new initiative to reclaim neglected forest reserves throughout Nigeria. By converting these unused lands into active agricultural hubs, the agency aims to curb criminal activity, increase food supply, generate employment, and bolster environmental health.
Cornelius Oluwasegun Adebayo, the CEO of NALDA, announced the project during a visit to the Green Hope Horticulture site in Ogun State. He noted that many of these reserves have been ignored for years, effectively becoming sanctuaries for criminals. Through partnerships with state governments, private investors, and organizations like the Cashew Processors Association of Nigeria (CAPAN), NALDA plans to return these areas to productive use.
A primary example is in Kwara State, where the agency is developing 18,000 hectares into a cashew plantation to supply local processing plants. Adebayo emphasized that active land management eliminates the isolation criminals exploit. Furthermore, the agency has set a goal to plant one million trees by 2030 to combat environmental degradation and support President Bola Tinubu’s focus on economic and food security.
Local officials, including Odogbolu Council Chairman Tunde Diya, welcomed the project, which complements efforts to provide farmland for youth and women. NALDA technical staff noted that the inclusion of modern irrigation technology will further help increase crop yields and reduce waste for participating farmers.