TREE PLANTING FOR SUSTAINABLE SOIL CONSERVATION AND AGRICUTURAL PRODUCTION. 

This project is already working partnership with Trees for the Future Inc and New Forest Project 

The project started in 2007 and wwwplanttreesaveplanet  gavea  further £300 financial contribution in early 2009.

The project encourages community involvement in tree planting. Members of the communities are educated on tree planting and multi purpose agro-forestry system /multi-storey cropping. (Multi storey cropping is the   cultivating a mixture of crops with different heights. (Multi-storey) and growth characteristics which together optimise the use of soil ,moisture and space.)  Multi-storey cropping provides adequate soil cover throughout the year protecting the land from erosion. Natural mulching  through fallen leaves from leguminous trees help to restore and maintain soil fertility. 

The project also seeks to help in reducing global Warming. Tree planting is one of the key weapons against global warming. Trees can reduce the effects of global warming. As trees grow they absorb carbon dioxide (CO2), the main 'greenhouse gas' responsible for global warming, thereby reducing the concentration of this gas in the atmosphere. Forests are referred to as 'carbon sinks' for this function of CO2 absorption and storage. As part of the project farmers shall be provided with seeds/seedlings and guided in tree planting. The main aim of the project is to ensure soil conservation for sustainable agricultural production and at the same time benefit from tree products such as fruits, vegetables, forage. 

About five communities are expected to benefit from the project .The  project is geared towards improving the livelihood of the rural communities by restoring the degraded soil

PROJECT SITE: The project site is Ukanafun Local Government Area in Akwa Ibom State.It is located in the southern zone in Nigeria. The area falls within the rain forest zone in Nigeria with annual rainfall is above 300cm.The area has basically two main seasons: the rainy and dry season. The people are predominantly farmers, while other occupations include hunting, trading etc.

The objectives of the project include the following:

- Encourage tree planting among members of the rural communities (women and youth ) as a means of livelihood enhancement.

- Reduce on going land degradation in rural communities.

- Promote sustainable agricultural production through good land use.

- Hunger and poverty alleviation by planting of economic trees, vegetables and spices.

- Generation of income from sale of fruits and tree products.

- Improve availability of tree products for food.

The photos shown show consultation events and training with community leaders and working on the project with tree seeds etc.

Other collaborators  for the project 

Trees for the Future Inc

Trees for the Future , P.O. Box 7027 , Silver Spring, MD 20907 ,1.800.643.0001 or 1.301.565.0630, www.treesftf.org

Trees for the Future Inc is a body that encourages planting of multipurpose (economic) trees as a means of combating deforestation as well as improving livelihood of rural communities.

Environmental & Life Resources: 

35 Udosen  Uko Street , Uyo.Akwa Ibom State.

E-mail: environresearch@yahoo.com.

Environmental & Life Resources is a non governmental organisation with main focus on habitat protection.

The collaboration will help in conservation of   some rare species in Nigeria.