ATBU Staff Launch Tree Planting Initiative in Malmo Village

By Muhammad Sani Muazu

The Rural Urban Women Green Initiative, a non-governmental organization established by the female academic staff of the Faculty of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, has taken significant steps towards climate action and women’s empowerment.

In a recent outreach, the organization distributed 250 tree seedlings to women in Malmo village, Durum ward, Bauchi Local Government Area, a community neighboring the university.

This initiative aims to combat climate change while providing sustainable empowerment to the women through environmental conservation efforts.

Speaking during the event, Professor Khadijat Musa Bello, the Chairperson of the Rural Urban Women Green Initiative, highlighted the importance of tree planting. Professor Bello, who is from the Department of Animal Production at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, stated that the initiative chose tree planting as a key component of their green initiative due to its immense environmental benefits.

In her words:
“We chose tree planting because it is essential for our green initiative. Knowing the importance of trees, we need them to purify the air, cool the environment, and help control the adverse effects of strong windstorms. This is why we decided to focus on tree planting.”

She further encouraged the beneficiaries to take good care of the seedlings, emphasizing the long-term advantages they could provide.

“My message to the beneficiaries is that they should nurture these plants so they grow and provide shelter in the future. These trees can also produce sweet edible fruits that will improve the nutritional intake of their children. I advise them to take good care of the trees so they can benefit from them in the years to come.”

The tree-planting project, supported by the Rural Urban Women Green Initiative, is part of a larger effort to promote environmental sustainability while empowering women in rural areas. The initiative aims to create a lasting impact by combining climate resilience with social empowerment.

Dr. Rashida Abdulmumini Bala, an agronomist and member of the Rural Urban Women Green Initiative, also provided insight into the practical aspects of tree planting and care. Dr. Rashida, from the Faculty of Agriculture at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, emphasized that the tree seedlings distributed to the women of Malmo village are relatively easy to manage with routine care, particularly during the dry season.

She explained that the basic maintenance includes regular watering, especially when rainfall is scarce, and the application of natural fertilizers to enhance soil quality. Dr. Rashida pointed out that due to soil degradation in many areas, the use of cow dung and other animal waste is recommended to enrich the soil and improve the trees’ chances of thriving.

“The trees we brought to Malmo are easy to handle. During the dry season, the women will need to water the trees regularly. We also recommend the use of cow dung or other animal waste as fertilizer because the soil may no longer support the plants without supplementation,” she stated.

Dr. Rashida also touched on pest control and the measures necessary to ensure the trees grow healthily. She noted that insects and plant diseases can pose significant challenges, and as a preventive measure, agrochemicals might need to be applied.

Additionally, she offered practical advice for the planting process itself, urging the women to carefully inspect the holes for termites and other potential threats before placing the seedlings in the ground.

“Before planting, the women should carefully check inside the holes to ensure there are no termites, as they can hinder tree growth. If there are any pests or other harmful organisms in the soil, they should be removed before planting the trees,” she advised.

The knowledge shared by Dr. Rashida Abdulmumini Bala complements the overall goal of the initiative by equipping the women with the skills and practical techniques necessary to ensure the trees thrive, furthering both environmental sustainability and the empowerment of the local community.

Dr. Nuratu Adamu, an animal scientist, emphasized the critical role trees play in enhancing animal productivity, particularly as a source of shade for livestock.

She explained that the effects of climate change, especially the increasingly severe hot weather during the hottest months, have negatively impacted animal productivity.

“Animals, like humans, are affected by extreme heat,” Dr. Nuratu noted, urging animal rearers to plant more trees to create a cooler environment that can boost animal productivity.

She pointed out that poultry, in particular, is highly vulnerable to hot weather. Dr. Nuratu advised poultry farmers to plant trees around their pens, explaining that this would provide a more comfortable environment for the birds, which in turn could help mitigate the negative effects of heat on growth, egg production, and egg size.