Project Update: Reforestation and Fruit Promotion

Posted on: 12.01.2012

ITF have received an end of year report from Church Mission Society (CMS), our in-country partner working in both South Sudan and Uganda. Their activities over the past year are very encouraging and there have been a number of notable successes.

CMS_Sudan 2010-2011

The aim of the project is to promote tree planting across the Diocese of Ma’di & West Nile though tree nurseries and demonstration sites and through an education campaign. Over the course of the project five nurseries have been established. These nurseries cultivated suitable tree species that could be later planted throughout their respective local communities. They also provided those within each parish with the opportunity to receive hands-on training in how to plant out and care for the different species grown.

Despite some difficulties due to unpredictable rainfall, the project planted around 3,500 trees around the Diocese from seedlings cultivated within the 5 nurseries. Trees have been planted around participating churches within the Diocese and each participating family have planted around 5 trees at home.

As well as carrying out tree planting activities, the project has also provided training and education to participants. A series of printed teaching materials have been produced and distributed around the Diocese and the project has worked directly with church members to produced special tree-theme services at local churches and seminars with local women’s and youth groups. CMS has also received requested from other nearby areas to extend the project and also take the education programme to local schools.

The Eden Demonstrations Farm supplements these workshops by giving local farmers hands-on experience with various tree species. The nursery contains a variety of species that have different applications such as agro-forestry, timber, fuel, medicine or fruit trees. By visiting the nursery, farmers can get a more thorough appreciation of the properties of each tree species and make a more informed decision as to the best type of tree to cultivate.

Find out more more about this project.