Ecovitalize Africa
We plant economic trees with farmers, women, young people and schools: trees that restore the land and earn an income for the families who care for them, for decades.
How the programme works
Trees given out is a weak measure. Trees alive two years later is the one that counts, so the programme is built around care and follow-up.
A community nursery
Growing our own seedlings, so planting is not limited by what can be bought.
Trees placed and mapped
Each tree is given to a farmer, woman, young person or school and recorded against its location.
Survival checks
Coordinators return at set times after planting. Trees still alive is the number we report.
Land brought back
Degraded and unused land is identified with the community and returned to productive use.
What the 2025 pilot taught us
The first planting was small by design, so we could learn before growing. We are spending 2026 putting these lessons into practice.
- Seedlings survive when farmers get care training and follow-up visits, not just the seedling.
- A nursery of our own gives better control over quality, timing and cost than buying seedlings.
- A mix of tree species spreads the risk and brings income sooner.
- Women and young people should be first in line, not an afterthought.
Trees we plant
Each species is chosen because it restores the land and also earns an income. A mix of fast and slow growers means income comes in at several stages.
Cocoa
Ekiti’s traditional cash crop, productive for decades. First harvest in three to five years.
Kolanut
A tree of cultural importance with steady local demand, suited to forest margins.
Oil palm
Improved varieties that produce oil and kernels, on land other crops struggle with.
Fruit trees
Orange, mango, avocado and pawpaw for earlier income and better household nutrition.
Moringa
Fast-growing and drought tolerant, with produce to sell within a year of planting.
Timber trees
Teak, mahogany and iroko to restore degraded land as a long-term asset.
Who receives trees
Seedlings are free. From 2027, at least 40% of the people receiving trees will be women and at least 30% will be under 35. Students will take part for the first time, planting on family plots and school land.
Timeline
- 2025Completed
Pilot: 2,400 cocoa seedlings given to 40 farmers in Araromi-Ekiti.
- 2026In progress
Planning year: nursery site, species mix, monitoring and partnerships. No distribution this year, by choice.
- 2027Planned
5,000 seedlings of six species to 100 farmers in three communities, with dedicated places for women, youth and students.
- 2028 and beyondAmbition
Community nurseries across Ekiti, larger areas of degraded land restored, and survival figures published every season.
How you can help
To grow from 40 farmers to hundreds, we need partners, funding and expertise in these areas.
Starter nursery
About ₦1.2 million for nursery infrastructure in Araromi-Ekiti.
The 2027 distribution
About ₦2.8 million for 5,000 seedlings, training and follow-up for 100 farmers.
Schools and students
About ₦180,000 for seedlings and care kits for 50 students.
Research partners
Support on species choice, soil analysis and survival monitoring.
Buyers and processors
Offtake partners for cocoa, kolanut and palm produce as the first trees mature.