These are some examples of agroforestry projects supported by the New Forests Project thanks to the support of its individual and institutional donors:
Uganda
Project: Promoting the Planting and Preservation of the ‘Mutuba’ Tree
Location: Bukoto Central Country in Masaka District – Uganda
Partner: Mwangwe Rural Development Association (MRDA)
This project promotes the planting of the “Mutuba” tree (Ficus natalensis) in Uganda. This native tree has multiple uses such as fodder for animals, soil enrichment, windbreak, firewood and bark cloth making. The bark cloth was traditionally used for clothing, cultural rituals and crafts. However, with the introduction of foreign clothing fabric the planting and caring of this valuable local species declined and almost became extinct in certain districts.
This project is promoting tree planting by distributing cuttings and providing education on its uses, on how to take care of the trees; and on how to use its bark for cloth, crafts and other income-generating activities.
The New Forest Project funded the purchase of 2000 ‘Mutuba’ tree cuttings which were distributed among 52 households in 10 villages. Moses Clive one of the project coordinators wrote:
A member of the MRDA planting a 'Mutaba' tree cutting
“On my behalf and on the behalf of the members of the MRDA, I wish to acknowledge with gratitude the support of the Mutuba Tree Seedlings ( Ficus natalensis) which New Forests donated to the MRDA. The trees are going to be distributed to households, especially women who engage in making crafts made out of the bark cloth of the Mutuba tree…We value your support and regard you as a long term partner in rural development”.
MRDA worked to improve its capacity to produce its own ‘Mutuba’ tree cuttings by grafting, eliminating the need to purchase seedlings. The New Forests Project decided to provide extra support to the project by funding a training workshop and hands-on practice. The workshop trained 175 people on the ‘Mutuba’ tree and its bark cloth; on propagation, planting and pruning methods; and on market options for its products. The hands-on practice included village visits to demonstrate craftsmanship on making good quality bark cloth.
Workshop funded by the World Seed Program
Practical demonstration during the hands-on practice
Kenya
Project: Save Mount Kenya Forest from Extinction
Location: Meru South District , Kenya
Partner: Save Mount Kenya Forest from Extinction Self-Help Group
This self-help group promotes reforestation and agroforestry techniques among communities in the whole Meru District region. Mt Kenya’s forests have been disappearing rapidly due to firewood collection, industrial logging and mismanagement of land-use practices know as “shamba systems” which allow crop cultivation for three years in previously deforested lands under the condition of replanting trees during this period.
Project implementation has included the setting up of large nurseries and reforestation efforts. So far, 15,000 trees have been planted. The next step is to educate local communities on environmental issues, reforestation and income-generating activities from trees, such as bee keeping.
The Self-Help Group has become one of the first in-country distributors of the New Forests Project seeds in Africa and the first one to purchase seeds from an in-country supplier. Kenya has recently imposed new restrictions on seed imports, making it much more difficult to ship seeds from other countries. Therefore, the World Seed Program worked to identify a seed supplier within the country and transferred funds to the group to purchase the seeds from the local supplier.
Paulino Mugendi, program coordinator, wrote to us: “I have finished subdividing all the seed species and within this month and next month I will have finished with dispatching them to the various groups. After that I will start recording the information from these groups and us concerning the progress of the seedlings. Once again we are very grateful for purchasing the seeds to be used by our organization and we say thank you very much to your organization New Forests Project”
One of the nurseries set up by the self-help group
Deforested area in the Slopes of Mt. Kenya where holes have been dug for the planting new trees
Nigeria
Project: Tree Planting for Sustainable Soil Conservation and Agricultural Production
Location: Ukanafun Local Goevernment Area, Akwa Ibom State, southern Nigeria
Partner: Tropical Research and Conservation Center
This project involves local communities on reforestation for soil conservation by providing education on tree planting, and distributing seeds and seedlings.
Planting trees and promoting agroforestry systems is a simple and cost-efficient way to improve soil fertility and prevent land degradation. The trees will also provide extra benefits such as fuelwood, building materials and other products and services. Additionally, they are expected to contribute to the survival of a highly endangered monkey species, Sclateri guenon, which inhabits the forests of southern Nigeria.
Nigerian group receiving seeds from NFP for their "One million State Tree" Program. These seeds were distributed as part of NFP's decentralization program.
The Project Manager, Ikponke Nkanta, had been a long time seed recipient of the New Forests Project. He founded Tropical, Research and Conservation Center to expand reforestation efforts and requested support to educate community members on the importance of planting trees on their lands. New Forests Project provided funding to carry out training workshops for community leaders, trainers of trainers, school children and others.
The Tropical Research and Conservation Center has also become one of our first seed distributors in Nigeria. Seeds have been distributed among farmers but the majority will be used in a state-wide effort to plant one million trees. The Center will be in raising as many seedlings as possible for this effort.
|
