Afforestation: Ondo to plant 10m trees in forest reserves – EnviroNews Nigeria

Ondo State Government Implements Forest Management Policy to Advance Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction: A Commitment to Environmental and Economic Balance

The Ondo State Government has announced a significant afforestation initiative aimed at balancing economic growth with environmental preservation, directly contributing to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In a news conference on November 8, 2025, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Forestry, Mr. Olaleye Akinola, detailed a plan to plant 10 million trees. This policy is designed to secure the state’s forests, protect the climate, and sustain agricultural livelihoods, aligning with SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 15 (Life on Land), and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).

Reforestation and Biodiversity Conservation: Targeting SDG 15 (Life on Land)

The core of the government’s strategy is a large-scale afforestation project designed to halt and reverse land degradation and combat biodiversity loss, a primary target of SDG 15. Key components of this initiative include:

• The establishment of state-run nurseries to raise seedlings for the 10 million trees.
• Free distribution of seedlings to farmers to encourage participation in agro-forestry.
• A two-year monitoring program to ensure the survival and growth of the newly planted trees.
• A commitment to supervised replanting to counteract the effects of historical deforestation.

Strategic Forest Zoning Framework

To ensure the sustainable management of terrestrial ecosystems, the state government is preparing new legislation to categorize forest reserves into three distinct zones. This structured approach supports the conservation and sustainable use of land resources as outlined in SDG 15.

1. Core Zone: An area exclusively designated for tree planting and natural forest regeneration.
2. Sustainability Zone: An area where regulated and sustainable farming, including cocoa and rice cultivation, will be permitted.
3. Buffer Zone: An area reserved for future, planned agricultural expansion.

Ensuring Sustainable Production and Economic Viability: Aligning with SDG 12 and SDG 8

The policy places a strong emphasis on integrating Ondo State’s agricultural sector into the global market by adhering to international sustainability standards, which directly supports SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production). By ensuring farmers can meet these requirements, the initiative also promotes sustained and inclusive economic growth under SDG 8.

• Traceability Mandate: By December 2025, all cocoa, cashew, and rubber farms must be mapped and registered. Only produce from traceable, deforestation-free farms will be eligible for sale in the global market.
• EU Compliance: This policy is a direct response to European Union traceability standards that demand proof of deforestation-free supply chains.
• Economic Framework: A levy structure is being implemented to fund the program, covering polygon mapping and agro-forest development, thereby ensuring the long-term viability of the state’s cocoa industry.
• Market Access: The commissioner stated the initiative is essential to protect the future of farmers and prevent their exclusion from international markets demanding sustainable products.

Implementation Strategy and Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17)

The successful execution of this comprehensive policy relies on a multi-stakeholder approach, reflecting the principles of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). The government is actively collaborating with various partners and implementing supportive measures for farmers.

• Technological Integration: The government is partnering with accredited firms to utilize advanced technology for precise farm mapping and traceability.
• Farmer Support: To ease the financial burden and encourage participation, all yearly revenue collection related to the process has been suspended until the following year.
• Regulatory Enforcement: The policy, which began in 2020, will be fully enforced by the December 2025 deadline, ensuring compliance with global sustainability requirements.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 15: Life on Land
   • The article’s primary focus is on afforestation efforts, specifically the plan to plant 10 million trees in forest reserves. This directly addresses the goal of protecting, restoring, and promoting the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably managing forests, and halting deforestation.
2. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • The commissioner’s statement about taking steps to “protect our climate” explicitly links the afforestation project to climate action. Planting trees is a key strategy for mitigating climate change by absorbing carbon dioxide.
3. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
   • The article discusses balancing “economic growth with environmental sustainability.” The new forest policy is designed to protect the future of cocoa farmers and sustain their livelihoods by ensuring their produce meets global market standards, thereby securing their economic viability.
4. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
   • The policy’s emphasis on farm traceability and meeting “global market and European Union traceability standards” for cocoa is directly related to ensuring sustainable consumption and production patterns. The article highlights the demand from international buyers for “proof of deforestation-free products.”

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 15.2: “By 2020, promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, restore degraded forests and substantially increase afforestation and reforestation globally.”
   • The Ondo State Government’s initiative to plant 10 million trees, establish nurseries, and create distinct forest zones (Core, Sustainability, Buffer) is a direct implementation of this target to increase afforestation and sustainably manage forests.
2. Target 13.2: “Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning.”
   • The government is creating a “new legislation” and a “proposed framework policy” for forest management. This action represents the integration of climate change measures (afforestation) into state-level policy and planning.
3. Target 8.4: “Improve progressively, through 2030, global resource efficiency in consumption and production and endeavour to decouple economic growth from environmental degradation…”
   • The policy aims to allow cocoa farming (economic growth) to continue, but only under strict regulations that prevent deforestation. This is a clear attempt to decouple the economic activity of cocoa farming from the environmental degradation of forest loss.
4. Target 12.2: “By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.”
   • The categorization of forest areas into a Core Zone for regeneration, a Sustainability Zone for regulated farming, and a Buffer Zone for future expansion is a direct strategy for the sustainable management of forest resources.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Number of trees planted:
   • The article explicitly states a quantitative goal of “planting of 10 million trees,” which serves as a direct indicator of progress for afforestation efforts under SDG 15.
2. Number of farmers with traceable farms:
   • The policy requires that “all cocoa, cashew and rubber farmers are properly mapped and registered.” The number of farmers who comply and have traceable farms is a measurable indicator of the policy’s implementation and its contribution to SDG 12.
3. Adoption of new forest legislation:
   • The preparation of “a new legislation to be forwarded to the State House of Assembly” is an indicator of progress towards integrating climate policies into state planning, as per SDG 13. Its successful passage would be a key milestone.
4. Area of forest under categorized management:
   • The division of forest areas into “Core Zone,” “Sustainability Zone,” and “Buffer Zone” implies that the land area within each category can be measured. This provides an indicator for the sustainable management of natural resources under SDG 15 and SDG 12.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: environewsnigeria.com