Gabriel Alkali: Building a family legacy, financial stability and environmental impact
For Gabriel, a 58-year-old farmer from Lambata, Nigeria, tree farming is more than just planting trees; it’s a source of livelihood and family legacy. His tree nursery is a bustling hub of activity and collaboration where the entire family pitches in. On most days, you will find Gabriel and his wife working among thousands of tree seedlings, and when schools are closed, their nine children join in, making it a true family affair.
"I have always had a passion for tree planting. Before joining One Acre Fund, I planted over a hundred trees on my farm. This made for a smooth and fulfilling transition into my role as One Acre Fund’s nursery manager."
As a nursery manager under One Acre Fund’s decentralized tree nurseries program, Gabriel’s passion for tree planting has branched into entrepreneurship and community impact. Since joining the program three years ago, he has increased his income by selling the seedlings he produces and has substantially impacted his community by supplying tree seedlings to local farmers.
For years, One Acre Fund has been supplying tree seedlings to farmers in rural communities across sub-Saharan Africa. Since we launched the program, we have distributed over 250 million trees. In 2021, the tree program evolved to include independent farmer-owned and operated tree nurseries, empowering local farmers like Gabriel to grow and sell seedlings within their communities.
“One Acre Fund trained me on soil preparation, pot filling, seed planting, nursery management, and caring for the seedlings as they germinate. It took me less than three months to learn and understand how to manage the nursery and raise tree seedlings until they were ready for delivery to farmers.”
Like any other business, setting up a tree nursery requires dedication and hard work, and Gabriel's hard work remains undeterred. “We started this work with one of my friends, but he didn’t last a week. He complained that the work is too tedious and time-consuming,” he recalls. For Gabriel, however, the labor is a labor of love. His dedication to tree planting and nursery management is deeply rooted in a desire to provide for his family and protect the environment.
"My dedication can be seen in how the people in this community appreciate my work and the trees we are planting. My goal is to make a positive impact on the environment. We need to protect the environment so that the next generation will have something to hold onto. By planting trees, we can curb some of the impacts of climate change, such as erosion and flooding," Gabriel says.
Beyond environmental conservation, Gabriel’s entrepreneurial spirit shines through as he sells seedlings to fellow farmers, earning an income that supports his family. “My family is my backbone and support system. The additional income has provided financial stability for us, allowing us to improve our living standards and invest in our future,” Gabriel says.
Under the One Acre Fund Nigeria program, nursery managers earn based on the number of tree seedlings they produce. Gabriel is raising 22,500 tree seedlings, including Cashew, Albizia lebbeck, and Parkia trees for the 2024 season. This year, Gabriel is set to earn about 338,000 Nigerian naira (more than $200).
One Acre Fund’s farmer-run tree nurseries are a great addition to encouraging tree planting among rural communities. They offer farmers readily available tree seedlings to become environmental stewards while supporting nursery managers like Gabriel in diversifying and increasing their income streams.
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Farmers choose to work with One Acre Fund to improve their farms and their lives. Your donation helps One Acre Fund deliver services to a farm family for a full year.
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