“No! Despite the COVID-19 pandemic threatening us, we farmers of Ngui village will continue to plant trees in our farms while ensuring every safety measures put in place by the government of Cameroon are respected. No matter what it takes, we need to take care of our farmlands” cried out Donfack Jacques, a farmer of Ngui community in Bafou subdivision.

The outbreak of COVID-19 has hindered economic activities in most countries around the world given the strict measures taken to reduce its spread. These measures that include but not limited to staying at home and social distancing have greatly affected the forest gardens community of the west region. The preventive measures have not only slowed-down field activities but demotivated some farmers to execute their planned activities.

Despite all the hindrances, some farmers, such as those of Bafou subdivision of Cameroon’s West Region, remain strongly engaged. They are determined to hit their tree planting targets for the season.  

Donfack Jacques has been practicing forest gardening for two years and counting. He has received countless trainings from ERuDeF on how to setup and manage a forest Garden.  Donfack Jacques has several nurseries in which he nurses different species of fruit trees as well as fertilizer trees. “I can never abandon the nursing of fertilizer trees! I believe that these plants will help me to identify my boundaries and protect my crops against stray animals. The Acacia catechu trees will also protect my cabbages and potatoes from soil erosion and and degradation”