Validation Team Flags Challenges in Gombe Land Restoration Project

A joint validation team from the World Bank, the ACReSAL Federal Project Management Unit (FPMU), and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has conducted an on-the-ground assessment of land restoration efforts in Gombe State.

The high-level delegation, comprising key technical experts, visited project sites in Funakaye, Yamaltu-Deba, and Gombe Local Government Areas to evaluate the progress of tree planting initiatives aimed at combating land degradation.

During the inspection, the team identified several challenges affecting the success of the project. These include high plant mortality rates, poor survival due to water scarcity, damage caused by stray animals, and limited involvement of women in project activities.

To address these issues, the delegation recommended enhanced monitoring and supervision by the state ACReSAL team. They also emphasized the need to establish women-led Community Interest Groups (CIGs) to boost participation and ensure long-term sustainability.

In his response, the Gombe State ACReSAL Project Coordinator, Dr. Sani Adamu Jauro, appreciated the team’s feedback and assured that necessary corrective steps would be implemented. He noted that replanting efforts would be intensified during the rainy season to improve plant survival rates.

The FAO reaffirmed its commitment to providing technical support, reiterating the project’s broader goal of restoring degraded land while empowering local communities across Gombe State.