Blog Details

This project implemented climate-resilient agro-forestry systems across Billiri, Kaltungo, and parts of Gombe Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Gombe State, Nigeria. These regions, situated in the semi-arid ecological zone of the Northern Guinea and Sudan Savanna, face severe environmental challenges including accelerated deforestation, wind and water erosion, and unreliable rainfall patterns—all exacerbated by climate change. Existing land use practices, such as continuous cropping and the removal of indigenous trees for fuelwood, have led to significant land degradation and declining agricultural productivity. The project was implemented as a direct intervention, leveraging the proven benefits of integrating trees with crops to stabilize the environment, restored soil health, and diversified income sources for smallholder farmers.

The project was implemented as a direct intervention, leveraging the proven benefits of integrating trees with crops to stabilize the environment, restored soil health, and diversified income sources for smallholder farmers.

Project Goals and Objectives

Goal: Enhanced long-term ecological resilience and sustainable agricultural productivity of smallholder farming systems in Billiri, Kaltungo, and Gombe LGAs through the adoption of integrated agroforestry practices. Specific Objectives:
1. Established and maintained 30 hectares of climate-smart agroforestry plots across the three target LGAs within a three-year timeframe.
2. Improved soil organic matter content by at least 15% in project demonstration plots compared to conventional plots within three years.
3. Green Climate Support (GCS) trained local farmers in tree nursery management, planting techniques, pruning, and sustainable harvesting.
4. Green Climate Support (GCS) diversified farmers income by incorporating high-value indigenous fruit and nut trees (Mango,Guava and Cashew) that provide non-timber forest products (NTFPs).

Intervention Strategy and Agroforestry Models

The project focused on implementing two primary, ecologically appropriate agro-forestry models suitable for the savanna environment:
A. Improved Parkland System (Agrisilviculture)
This model involves retaining and actively planting scattered, multi-purpose indigenous trees on croplands. This is the most prevalent traditional agroforestry system in the region.
• Location: Widely distributed farmland areas in all three LGAs.
• Tree Species:
o Economic/Food: Mango, Cashew and Guava trees.
• Crop Integration: Farmers planted their existing food crops (e.g., Sorghum, Millet, Cowpea, Groundnut) mixed with the economic trees benefiting from reduced heat stress, nutrient cycling, and improved soil moisture retention, particularly during drought periods. Tree density will be managed to minimize excessive shade competition.
B. Shelterbelts and Windbreaks
This system involves planting linear strips of tall, dense trees perpendicular to the prevailing wind direction to reduce wind speed, minimize wind erosion, and protect crops and settlements.
• Location: Perimeter boundaries of large communal farms, around vulnerable residential areas, and adjacent to severely eroded or bare land (Baganje Billiri, Mallam Innah Gombe and Kalorgu Kaltungo).
• Tree Species:
o Fast-Growing/Hardy: Azadirachta indica (Neem), Khaya senegalensis (African mahogany).
o Multi-layering: Utilizing shrubs and medium-height trees like Mangifera indica (Mango) to create a denser barrier from the ground up.

Key Activities and Implementation Phases

Phase Duration Key Activities

Phase 1: Mobilization & Planning Three communities Assessed in Billiri, Kaltungo, and Gombe LGAs. Established Community Agroforestry Committees (CACs). Site selection.
Phase 2: Training & Planting Trained farmers in tree propagation, grafting, and planting techniques.
Phase 3: Monitoring & Maintenance Conducted regular field monitoring for tree survival rates. Provided extension services and technical support on pruning and pest management. Organized farmer field days for peer-to-peer learning and demonstration of best practices.
Phase 4: Evaluation & Scaling Conducted a final assessment of soil health, document lessons learned and develop a plan for scaling the project to neighboring LGAs.