The Aim
Many important trees which are essential for survival in this area have disappeared from the Mopti in Mali, forcing people to leave the area. The Regenerating Tree Resources Project trains villagers to be Tree Nursery managers. The villagers learn the necessary technical skills for growing and managing trees.
In the second year, the nursery managers continue to build on their knowledge and forestry skills. This tree planting work increases soil productivity and forest genetic reserves, as well as helping in the struggle against poverty.
We are extremely grateful for the funds received from ITF for our tree production and planting work
The Approach
In each village, one or two people are responsible for monitoring and giving support to the tree planting activities. The local population are very involved with making suggestions for improving the project and identifying what is most needed in their area.
The training included compost production; preparation of seeds (scarification, soaking, feeding seeds to sheep and planting their manure-a natural acid treatment, and partial grinding to encourage germination; and sowing and care of nursery pots.
At the end of the project, it is intended that the villagers will be able to maintain their own supply of seed and materials to maintain their nurseries as sources of trees for dune stabilisation.
Our partner, The Joliba Trust has been working in Mopti for many years and they employ a team of foresters who train and work with the local population. The foresters are from the local area, speak all local languages, and are much-loved in the area.
The Joliba Foresters cover several districts within Mopti region of Mali and go out to train villagers and teachers in tree growth and management techniques including dune stabilisation and nursery management.
The Impact
Update March 2011:
Two of the beneficiaries of Joliba's work voice very clearly the way in which the project has positively impactedtheir lives:
Beneficiary One: Name: Teddy Barry 36 years old. I am a Fulani woman. I live from selling milk and from weaving grass panels to make houses. I participated in the tree planting and planted 100 baobab trees with my sisters. When I was a child, there were many baobab trees, but now all the big old baobab trees have died. We have been the first people to plant trees in our village. I have learnt how to plant trees, and I very happy. I am really looking forward to tasting the leaves of the trees I have planted (baobab tree leaves are the main constituent of the sauce that accompanies millet – the daily food).
Beneficiary Two: Name: Yakoundio Perou, 52 years old. I am a Dogon woman. I participated in planting trees for firewood. I grew 100 Acacia raddiana saplings, and I hope to harvest the branches in 5 years, as well as having crops of acacia seeds for nourishing the animals. I can sell one sack of seeds for £1.50 to people with cattle.
We women suffer greatly in order to gain firewood for cooking. We go in a group with a donkey cart 21 kms away to look for wood in the countryside. We leave at 5 am and return at 7 or 8pm. We carry our babies on our backs when we walk. Sometimes the cart has punctures and breakdowns, and sometimes we meet government foresters who are aggressive. I will continue to plant firewood trees so that my daughters do not have to suffer like me. I am very happy that in future we will be able to harvest branches of our own trees to cook with.
Increased genetic reserves of trees, and restoration of biodiversity of indigenous species. Instead of cutting down trees for firewood, construction, animal fodder etc, only a small part of each tree is being cut, in a way that will allow more branches to grow. People have far more interest in trees and wish to use them sustainably. Legal structures for managing tree resources have been agreed. Over a million trees have been grown.
