Head Sustainable Agriculture Development
IFAD CBARDP PSO , Katsina.
Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development , Katsina, Nigeria
Forest and Trees provide tangible and intangible benefits for food and security to man from the existence of man to date; the relationship that occurred between Adam /Hauwa and trees notwithstanding.
The contribution of trees in construction , watershed management , climate change, erosion control Desertification control, fruits, soil fertility enhancements , medicines, environmental amelioration and atmospheric purification are all benefits that lead to increased income, health, employment opportunities , increased food production, nutrition, food security, and increased standard of living to the human race.
Government should legislate and enforce laws on bush burning, and deforestation and encourage and make deliberate policy on tree planting in form of woodlots, trees on farmland, windbreaks and shelterbelts by both males and females.
This will help promote the services of trees for the better, in terms of food and security.
Thank you.
Abubakar Sadiq Ibrahim Birma
From immemorial time, knowingly or unknowingly, man has been benefiting from the Ecosystem but paying little consideration with regards to PES. Priority ought to be giving to PES knowing well that there is no profession that can survive without forests and trees. Accelerated developments worldwide, increased food production, increased health, increased nutrition and income all lead to loss of biological potential of the land, biodiversity, climate change,desertification,erosion,floods,low soil fertility, low food production and famine to mentioned but a few. This is due to the negative attention paid to PES both past and present. The negative over dependance on inorganic fertilizers, chemicals, massive tree felling to mention but a few are some of the actions done to the Environment without adequate consideration of PES that man has to pay now as a way forward. This could be done through a wise use of the available resources without causing any damage to the environment, hence a friendly approach and utilization; through a sustainable agriculture development. For in comparison, the benefit derived from these negative activities highlighted above hardly match the cost of PES for such actions. For the way forward, both develomental agencies, government or non governmental, private organizations and individuals must respect the environment and adopt sustainable Agriculture Development approach and work Sustainably in all aspects of development that leads to increased food production without inflicting any damage to the environment.
ABUBAKAR SADIQ IBRAHIM BIRMA
Head Sustainable Agriculture Development. IFAD CBARDP PSO
Federal. MInistry of Agriculture and Rural Development! KATSINA.