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Some 12 new farming groups made up of 50 farmers have been integrated into the agroforestry programme in the West and Littoral Regions of Cameroon.
They were accepted into the agroforestry family in April, 2018, during a Regional tour across Moungo, Menoua, Haut Nkam and Bamboutos Divisions of West and Littoral regions of Cameroon.
The tour aimed at building the capacity of farmers on nursery establishments, Cooperative, forest garden development and expansion as well as the value of agro forestry farming techniques, also provided the agroforestry team from the Environment and Rural Development Foundation (ERuDeF), the platform to renew partnership with old faming groups, and welcome committed new ones.
Speaking on behalf of one of the new groups, Ntio group in Batcham Chef, Bamboutos Division, Mr Francis Fochap, a seasoned Plantains and maize farmer lauded ERuDeF’s great strides made in building the capacities of farmers in using agroforestry techniques in enlarging their farms. He thanked the management of ERuDeF and Partners for empowering them with agro forestry and Medicinal tree seeds of species such as Accacia, luecaena and Prunus, Moringa among others.
“Given that our soil have become infertile due to the huge inorganic chemicals, slash and burn, and even felling down of trees that some of us practice, these agro forestry seeds after planted will help to restore our soil,” He added
On behalf of his farming group, Mr Fochap promised to plant more than 200,000 agro forestry trees in their farms, this 2018. He pleaded with the management of ERuDeF to provide farmers with more Moringa seeds for planting. That, he indicated, Moringa contains 321 medicinal properties good for the community.
Another new group representative, Mr Dominique, of Apouh Farmers in Fongo-Tongo in Menoua Division, said his group is made up of very astute young minds who are devoted to making high yields. He affirmed his group’s firm participation into the programme.
“We are very young and committed youths who came together for the mere fact of making it big in agriculture. I promise that accepting us would not go for nothing. We shall be very committed to planting of trees. We can’t promise you more, but count on us,” Mr Dominique said.
Accepting the new farming groups into the agroforestry programme, the West and Littoral Coordinator for ERuDeF’s agroforestry activities, Ebang Ngome, said his Organisation is out to empower committed farmers with the necessary agroforestry tools needed for them to make huge harvest. He urged the farmers to be assiduous in their activities, and be rest assured, the management of ERuDeF will provide all necessary tools needed for them to own farms with rich soils, hence making them acquire sustainable harvest.
“Planting of agroforestry trees will not only increase your yields geometrically after three years, but also provide their farms with micro-climate that will play essential roles in the reduction of soil transpiration, fight against pests and the mitigation of climate change. With the coming of agroforestry techniques, all you will witness high crop yields, and increase in your household income,” Mr Ebang added.
The farmers were encouraged with vegetable and agro forestry seeds, T- shirts, and calendars. He promised to furnish more farmers with other seeds, especially the Moringa and Acacia plant which was so much loved by majority of the farmers.
The agroforestry programme falls in line with ERuDeF and Trees for the Future’s drive of planting millions of trees useful to local farmers, which can also increase their household income.
Emmanuel Ngome