By Muhammad Sani Muazu
Bauchi, Nigeria – The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations and the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) project recently concluded a four-day intensive training workshop in Bauchi, focused on enhancing the value chain development for non-timber forest products (NTFPs). The workshop, which attracted stakeholders from 11 states, aimed to build capacity and promote sustainable practices to unlock the untapped economic potential of Nigeria’s non-timber forest products.
Delivering remarks at the closing ceremony, FAO representative Engineer Precious Agbesor lauded the participants’ commitment and resilience, noting their sustained presence throughout the training. “I want to sincerely acknowledge the humility, leadership, and dedication displayed by the state project coordinators and the national project coordinators’ special advisors, who have been with us from day one,” he remarked.
Engineer Agbesor highlighted the FAO’s ongoing efforts to bridge capacity deficits within Nigeria’s agricultural sector, especially in areas like value chain development, where specialized training and practical skills are critical. He encouraged participants to extend the knowledge acquired during the workshop to those unable to attend, emphasizing that “FAO cannot afford to bring everybody in one hall… whatever you have learned in these few days, try to go back to your respective states and cascade the knowledge to others.”
Participants had the opportunity to engage in field exercises, including a visit to Chime Foods, where they witnessed firsthand the potential of NTFPs to diversify rural economies and support environmental sustainability. Consultant Dr. Andrew led these activities, which included insightful presentations on best practices and market-oriented approaches to NTFP development.
Speaking on behalf of the National Project Coordinator Malam Abdulhamid Umar, Mr. Cyril underscored the significance of the FAO’s technical assistance in the restoration of 350,000 hectares of degraded land across Nigeria. He described the NTFP training as the first step in an ambitious agenda that aligns with ACReSAL’s core mission to enhance environmental resilience and livelihood opportunities. “This is a very important flagship project, and we are greatly impressed with the interactive and participatory nature of the sessions,” said Mr. Cyril.
He highlighted the proactive engagement from all participating states, noting that each state delegation was deeply committed, as evidenced by the lively presentations and discussions. Mr. Cyril expressed hope that these presentations would not end with the training but would be documented and submitted to the Federal Project Management Unit (FPMU) for input at the national level.
Reflecting on the workshop’s success, Engineer Agbesor expressed confidence in ACReSAL’s impact and assured participants of FAO’s continued support in ensuring the sustainable management of non-timber forest resources. “For us in FAO, we remain very committed to supporting the cause of the ACReSAL project and the mission to restore degraded lands,” he said. Agbesor further noted the possibility of more training sessions to support stakeholders in effectively implementing these strategies across their respective states.
As the training concluded, participants formed a restoration team committee, tasked with implementing key takeaways and cascading them at the local level. The project coordinators reiterated their commitment to driving the ACReSAL mandate forward, encapsulating their spirit with a resounding, “Yes, we can.”
The ACReSAL project, funded by the Nigerian government in collaboration with the World Bank, aims to improve the management of Nigeria’s natural resources, strengthen environmental resilience, and foster sustainable development in semi-arid regions across the country.