COMBATING DESERTIFICATION

COMBATING DESERTIFICATION
A COMPREHENSIVE INTEGRATED DEVELOPMENT APPROACH

THE MENACE
Desert encroachment in Northern Nigeria at a rate of 600 meters per annum, Whole settlements already displaced within the last 25 years. Twin problem of wind erosion and drought leading to dispersions of communities and displacements of people.
COMPREHENSIVE SOLUTION APPROACH
God created the Earth for human habitation. Man lives by means of his livelihood. Land restoration must therefore aim to sustain both living and livelihood.
To live, modern man requires primarily light(energy) and water , closely followed by food and shelter.
For a livelihood - Agriculture : Agronomy and pastoralism (Animal Husbandary)
From there we can develop Agro-allied industries, food processing and preservation amongst others.
USING WHAT IS AVAILABLE: LAND, SUN AND WIND.
From the beginning God planted a garden. Eden was a model case. The Garden requires water. Here, we have underground water that needs to be extracted – RESTEC water-pumping windmills is our solution.
Afforestation – with relevant trees suitable for the peculiar climatic conditions; I propose Date Palms with profitable under/cover crops such as cowpeas, onions, tomatoes, garlic, etc.
Plans for Agricultural Processing-canned tomatoes, Exports (Dates, Beans, Onions, etc) and Meat/Dairy products Processing from Animal Husbandry.
ENERGY FOR LIVING AND INDUSTRY
Concentrated Solar Thermal Power at Gigawatt Scales is cost-comparable to fossil fuel generation and can even be acceessed on Power Purchase Agreement basis freeing much need capital for other developmental projects. In the near future, Airborne Wind Energy will provide competitive alternative energy source.

IMPLEMENTATION
PREPARATIONS (A)
LOCAL MANUFACTURE OF RESTEC(Both Water and Energy Mills)
NURSERIES FOR SEEDLINGS- Sourcing Dates, other seedlings including cover crops
Portable Residential Cabins
Irrigation Systems- Designs/Sourcing
Staffing
Draft Agricultural Estate Design/Layout
Forests/Farms/Gardens/Residences and Hotels
Schools/Hospitals/Parks and recreational areas(Golf Course)
Gas Station , Local stores and Markets
Security – Police Posts/Patrols, Vehicles and Equipments
Farm tools, Implements and Machineries – Tractors, etc.
MOBILISATION TO SITE (THE JOURNEY BEGINS) (B)
Advance Party – Nearest Decent Hotel
Transportation – Vehicles and Fueling
Logistics for Heavy Equipment and Machinery including Portal Cabins
Bore – Holes Drilling and Installations of Locally Manufactured RESTEC Water Pumping Wind-Mills
Installation of Irrigation Systems
Tree Planting (Transfer of Seedlings from Nurseries, etc)
Cover crop Plantings
Development of Residential Settlements and Local Communities
Deployment of Grid –Scale Solar/Wind Energy Farms
Maintenance
BUDGET/COSTS
Estimate US$50M For Meaningful And Impactful Project.