About

Taraba ACReSAL Project exemplifies a bold and collaborative effort to address the region’s unique challenges. By integrating environmental restoration, agricultural development, and community empowerment, it contributes significantly to building a more resilient and sustainable future for the people of Taraba State and Northern Nigeria.

Taraba ACReSAL Project is a critical component of the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) initiative, a six-year program supported by the World Bank. This groundbreaking effort addresses sustainable landscape management and climate change challenges across 19 Northern Nigerian states, including Taraba State. It recognizes climate change as a significant national security threat, adversely impacting natural resources, ecosystems, and biodiversity, particularly in the semi-arid regions of the North.
The 19 northern states targeted by ACReSAL, including Taraba, face a range of socio-economic and environmental challenges. These include:

• High poverty rates.
• Low literacy levels.
• Fragile and conflict-prone environments.
• Degradation of natural resources.
• Poor agricultural productivity.
• Climate risks, such as desertification.
• Limited access to modern technology.
• Weak institutional capacities.

To combat these challenges, the project adopts a multi-sectoral approach that integrates the efforts of the Federal Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Water Resources, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. This collaboration spans sectors like environment, agriculture, and water resources to deliver comprehensive solutions.
Goals and Objectives
The Taraba ACReSAL Project aims to:

1. Combat desertification and restore degraded lands.
2. Conserve critical ecosystems vital for agriculture and biodiversity.
3. Enhance water availability to meet agricultural demands.
4. Mitigate the impacts of climate change on agricultural productivity.
5. Strengthen the livelihoods of rural farmers, especially women and youth groups.
6. Build institutional capacity for integrated, climate-resilient landscape management.

Strategic Focus
The project aligns with Nigeria’s broader environmental commitments under President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, including the restoration of 4 million hectares of degraded agricultural land by 2030. Within its six-year timeline, ACReSAL aims to restore 1 million hectares by 2028, promoting climate-resilient practices that enhance environmental sustainability and increase agricultural yields.

Expected Outcomes:

• Improved agricultural productivity through sustainable land and water management practices.
• Strengthened climate resilience among vulnerable populations.
• Enhanced livelihood opportunities for rural communities.
• Long-term environmental sustainability and socio-economic development in Taraba State and beyond.The Taraba ACReSAL Project exemplifies a bold and collaborative effort to address the region’s unique challenges. By integrating environmental restoration, agricultural development, and community empowerment, it contributes significantly to building a more resilient and sustainable future for the people of Taraba State and Northern Nigeria.