Gabriel Alkali: Building a family legacy, financial stability and environmental impact

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.