The Susudi and Akarateshie communities in the Garu and Tempane districts under World Vision Ghana Farmer-Managed and Natural Regeneration (FMNR) project, have turned 37 hectors of land into a green forest.
This comprises 13 hectors of shrubs farm lands in Susudi and 24 in Akarateshie.
The shrubs are pruned every two weeks by 40 volunteer farmers under the supervision of agric extension officers allowing them to grow into trees.
Community members who were triggered by WVG, realize the negative impact of deforestation not only to the environment but also to their animals, have for the past three years nurtured shrubs into trees.
They have turned bare hectors of land with shrubs into trees through effective pruning, creating fire belts around the lands affected, and enacting by-laws to guide against felling of the trees.
According to them, the negative exploitation of the forest and tree resources in the past for a living exposed their communities to severe consequences of climate change on both crop and animal production, thus affecting livelihoods.
Speaking to Citi News during a visit to the ‘Shrubs turn into trees farms’ the farmers said, the project has been of enormous benefit to them.
Naba Awindago Agaago, a sub-chief of Susudi, said the nurtured shrubs into trees project now serves as wind breaks, source of feed and shelter for their animals which hitherto was non-existent.
Enumerating the economic benefits of the project at Akarateshie, Assibi Abindauw said pruned shrubs are used as firewood by women whilst some special spices from the shrubs are used as herbs to treat various diseases.
She added that, the communities have also recorded low temperatures compared to the past, particularly in the dry season.
“Due to the project, our children also enjoy fruits from trees like the African ebony, Red and Yellow berry as well as the Shea trees all from the nurtured shrubs, now trees”.
WVG’s Food security and Resilience Technical Programme Manager, Mr. Maxwell Amedi, said the farmers are only provided with cutlasses and boots for the project.
They are also recognized at public events with certificates for their work.
He urged other communities in Ghana particularly in the three regions of the north to adopt FMNR project to protect the environment and improve their livelihoods.
–
By: Frederick Awuni/citinewsroom.com/Ghana
The post World Vision project ‘turns shrubs into trees’ in Garu-Tempane appeared first on Citi Newsroom.
Read Full Story
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Instagram
Google+
YouTube
LinkedIn
RSS