03Projects
Cactus Plantation Project
Large-scale cultivation of cactus for land restoration, desertification control, and carbon sequestration in Yobe State, Nigeria.
Land Management, Desertification Control & Carbon Offsets
The Cactus Plantation Project in Yobe State, implemented by CARBON CACTUS INTEGRATED SOLUTIONS under the ACreSAL Programme, represents a transformative approach to environmental restoration and climate action in Nigeria. This initiative addresses the critical challenges of environmental degradation and desertification through strategic, large-scale cactus cultivation.
Nigeria faces severe environmental challenges, having lost over 90% of its total forest reserves (approximately 10 million hectares). With the highest desertification rate globally at 3.5% annually, the country loses between 350,000 and 400,000 hectares of land each year. This project directly combats these alarming trends.
The ACreSAL Programme leverages nature-based solutions for landscape management, desertification control, sand dune stabilization, and creating carbon sinks to absorb atmospheric carbon. This strategic approach aligns perfectly with Nigeria's commitment to restore 4 million hectares of degraded land and forest by 2030 under the Africa Forest Landscape Restoration Initiative (AFR100).
Beyond environmental restoration, the project contributes to Nigeria's REDD+ commitment to achieve 20% emissions reduction by 2025 and supports the nation's Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC). It also advances TerrAfrica's Sustainable Land Management (SLM) framework, which emphasizes climate change mitigation and securing benefits for rural farming communities.
Figures
National targets and statistics the project works towards, not this project's own output.
- 4 MillionHectaresLand restoration target by 2030
- 20%Emissions CutReduction target by 2025
- 3.5%Desert ControlAnnual desertification rate addressed
- 10M+Hectares LostForest reserves to restore
Strategic Objectives
- Combat desertification through nature-based solutions and landscape management
- Enhance carbon sequestration to meet national and international climate commitments
- Stabilize sand dunes and prevent land degradation in vulnerable regions
- Create sustainable livelihoods through land restoration and soil conservation
- Support Nigeria's forest landscape restoration and REDD+ objectives
- Build climate resilience in rural communities through sustainable land management
Alignment with National Commitments
AFR100 Initiative
Africa Forest Landscape Restoration - 4M hectares by 2030
REDD+ Target
20% emissions reduction by 2025 through carbon sinks
TerrAfrica SLM
Sustainable Land Management for climate resilience
Benefits
Land Restoration
Large-scale cactus cultivation restores degraded lands and stabilizes sand dunes, combating Nigeria's highest desertification rate globally.
Carbon Sequestration
Cactus plantations serve as significant carbon sinks, absorbing atmospheric CO2 and supporting Nigeria's REDD+ commitment for 20% emissions reduction.
Community Benefits
Provides multiple livelihood opportunities including land restoration jobs, soil conservation, and sustainable agriculture practices for rural communities.
Climate Targets
Aligns with AFR100 initiative, TerrAfrica SLM framework, and Nigeria's NDC commitments for climate resilience and mitigation.
Photographs
Join the Restoration Movement
Partner with us to scale cactus plantation initiatives, restore degraded lands, and build climate resilience across Nigeria. Together, we can reverse desertification and create sustainable futures for communities.