Department of Ecological Agriculture of Bolgatanga Polytechnic has Launched “TREE FOR LIFE PROJECT” in Sumbrungu a Community in the Upper East Region as part of their responsibilities to support catchment communities of the polytechnic with economic tree species such as mangoes which have multiple roles of keeping communities green, serving as source of feed for animal, providing shade as well as producing edible fruits for household consumption and income.
Speaking at the launch, the Head of Department for the Bolgatanga polytechnic Ecological Agriculture Joseph Larry said it was suggestive that tree planting strategies in any area should not only consider tree adaptability to prevailing conditions or ability to protect degraded lands or environment, but the need for such trees to meet the expressed food security and income generation needs of the people in the area.
According to Mr. Larry, it is a known fact that a community with limited land for food production may be reluctant to plant trees and not to mention of non-edible fruit bearing trees. He believed it is the major setback affecting many tree planting or afforestation programmes in most degraded lands in Upper East.
However, he was very optimistic that the “TREE FOR LIFE PROJECT” intends to produce and distribute mango and other economically viable tree seeding to households in Sumbrungu and other catchment areas with the help of Assemblymen.
He further assured stake holders and community members that the project will put up management and monitoring strategies, to ensure survival of the trees in beneficiary communities and as well train interested community groups especially women groups to establish and maintain mango tree nurseries for sustainable greening of communities.
“We are implementing the first phase of the project in four communities within Sumbrungu, and will be distributing close to one thousand mango seedlings in those communities and will also extend it to more communities in subsequent years and hope to cover most communities in Upper East Region with the next five year.”
The Chief and people of Sumbrungu expressed their joy towards the wonderful initiative executed by the management of Bolgatanga Polytechnic and say the “TREE FOR LIFE PROJECT” will go a long way to benefit them as a community especially during the season they are faced with long hours of Sunshine and high temperature between the months of February-May ever year.
According to the Chief, It is within these hot weather periods that most families scramble for limited shade spaces and in most instances compete with animals.
By: Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen | A1RADIOONLINE.com | GHANA
