Northern Ghana farmers introduced to new technology for reforestation
Sixty farmers from the Garu-Tempane District of the Upper East Region on Friday arrived at the Talensi District Assembly to study the Farmer Managed and Natural Regeneration (FMNR) technology for reforestation.
The FMNR is a newly discovered method of reforestation being implemented by World Vision of Australia.
The method, which has proved to be more reliable, cheaper and sustainable than the usual conventional methods of tree planting, involves the selection and pruning of stems growing from stumps of naturally grown trees on the field to give them more space to grow.
In Ghana nine communities in the Talensi District of the Upper East Region including Yameriga, Tongo-Beo, Yinduri and Wakii, Balungu, Shia, Sepaat, Namolgo and Yagzore, which adopted the technology since its inception in July 2009, have started reaping benefits.
This prompted farmers from Garu-Temapane, Kassena Nankana West and the Bawku West Districts to adopt the concept.
Mr Norbert Baba Akolbila, the Area Development Programme (ADP) Manager of World Vision in charge of the Talensi District, explained that the project which first began in Burkina Faso, was now in Ghana and farmers who are willing to know more about the process, could contact the World Vision office.
Mr Edward Awunnore, the District Chief Executive, noted that World Vision had contributed a lot in the area of Water, Sanitation, Health and Agriculture in the region.
He appealed to the farmers to carefully study the technology and implement it in their areas to help conserve the environment.
Explaining some of the benefits of the FMNR technology to the farmers, Mrs Charity Yambil, the Chairperson in charge of the Yameriga Project, said medicinal plants, fuel woods, fruits and grass for their animals, would become available when they begin implementing the project.
“We used to commute long distances to the bush in search of fuel wood but with the FMNR we no longer travel far distances in search of fuel wood,” she said.
Naba Yamdaan-Zembil Longmoare, the Chief of Yameriga, said the importance of trees could not be overstated hence the need for all to plant, nurture and protect trees for our own survival.
Farmers from Bawku West District-Zebilla and Kasena West are also planning to visit the Talensi ADP to study the FMNR technology.
Source: GNA