EPA/FC educate farmers on mango grafting

                     

More than 50 representatives drawn from six communities in the Upper East Region have been taken through techniques for grafting mango seedlings.  The one day training workshop was organized by the Forestry Service Department with financial support from the Environmental Protection Agency under the Ghana Environmental Management Project, a 5-year Canadian sponsored project that seeks to address and control desertification in Ghana, particularly, the three regions of the north.  The project among other interventions sought to encourage the planning and management of desertification initiatives through capacity building and also create institutional support at all levels of government to reinforce awareness and technology transfer with the aim of creating rural opportunities. The District Manager of the Forestry Service Department, Robert Deri in a statement disclosed that the introduction of GEMP project has for the past two years made remarkable strives as six community networks have been established in the various district and municipal assemblies of the region, citing areas such as Sherigu in the Bolgatanga Municipal, Balungu in the Talensi District, and Basiyonde in the Garu-Tempane district as some of the beneficiaries. Other areas include Zebilla in the Bawku West District, Kunkua in the Bongo district as well as Kadema in the Builsa District. According to Mr. Deri, his outfit is determined to move a step ahead to implementing the grafting of mangoes in beneficiaries areas as they are of high demand in the region. In view of the set objective, participants were taken through nursery management, techniques of raising seedlings and techniques in the grafting of mangoes. The Upper East Regional Director of the EPA, Zenabu Wasai-King who gave an overview of the GEMP, said the establishment of tree nursery which is one of the components of GEMP activities is of much relevance since most farmers lack the needed skill and technique in raising seedlings, particularly mangoes. She emphasized the collaboration of the EPA and the Forestry Service Department, stating that funds through CIDA is made available to engage the services of forestry department in order for them to provide technical support to nursery attendants. The Forestry Department since 2010 has raised about 50,000 seedlings in the six beneficiary communities. She said under the project, EPA realized that different seedlings were raised by farmers. This, she said explains their decision to provide funding to the department and other institutions to use their technical expertise to train them on how mangoes are grafted. The move she noted was to assist them earn a living whilst protecting the environment. Ms Wasai-King said her office is still open to proposals for tree growing activities.


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