FAO/G.Napolitano

Slum-based farming - feeding the cities

Cameroonian journalist Aaron Kaah reports from Bamenda on how the city's slum dwellers are earning valuable income from agriculture. He speaks to Richard, a young man who supplements his income from driving by selling maize, tomatoes and cabbages. Given the need for urban areas to be producing more food for their expanding populations, Kaah questions whether slum areas need to be included in development plans.

published: June 2010

WRENmedia

Why plant trees on a farm?

Four people, including a farmer, a journalist and a researcher, give their opinions on the value of planting trees on farms. These include getting fruit, boosting soil fertility, providing shade for certain crops, fodder for livestock, and timber, as well as helping to mitigate the effects of climate change.

published: May 2010

WRENmedia

Fighting poverty and climate change

Forestry specialist Ernest Foli discusses the benefits from planting trees on farms, gives examples of trees that can be planted and describes some of the skills needed in growing healthy, productive trees. He also explains how trees can help to moderate some of the impacts of climate change, by promoting rainfall and protecting the soil against scorching heat.

published: May 2010

WRENmedia

Community tree planting

Forestry researcher Paul Bosu explains the meaning of degraded forest, and describes work by the Forestry Research Institute of Ghana (FORIG) to promote mixed species tree plantations. He calls on commercial timber companies to support community tree planting, and emphasises that the benefits of tree planting are not only for ourselves, but our children, grandchildren and the wider world.

published: May 2010

WRENmedia

Commercial farm protects its trees

Ernest Abloh, chief agronomist for Ghanaian fruit exporter Blue Skies Ltd., explains the environmental standards that the company adheres to in its pineapple production. These include retaining buffer strips for biodiversity, fallowing of fields and planting of trees. He believes that, like European farmers, African farmers should be financially rewarded for protecting the environment.

published: May 2010

WRENmedia

Agroforestry for the young

Agriculture student Michael Ahala explains why he is passionate about agroforestry, as a way to restore soil fertility on degraded land and protect crops and homes from damage by wind. He plans to promote agroforestry methods in his community and encourages young people to go into farming.

published: May 2010

Paul Bosu

Children and trees

In Ghana, work to encourage tree planting by adults have had limited success. So FORIG is now working with school children, teaching them about the importance of trees and conducting tree planting activities. The local district education office has responded by requesting seedlings, and there are plans to expand this pilot project into other areas.

published: May 2010

WRENmedia

Planting trees in towns

Trees offer many benefits to urban areas, including shade, wind breaks, and helping to improve air quality. They can also provide fruit, and fodder for animals. But they need to be chosen carefully, and planted in appropriate places, to prevent damage to roads and buildings.

published: May 2010

WRENmedia

Grafting trees to speed up production

Grafting a small stem or branch from a mature tree to the root of a young seedling is a way of producing a new plant that will flower and fruit quickly. But it's a technique that requires some skill. Tree researcher Theresa Peprah give a lesson in grafting, explaining what can go wrong, and encouraging farmers to try tree grafting on their farms.

published: May 2010

WRENmedia

New branches on old cashew trees

One way to increase production from old cashew trees is to remove their branches and graft new branches in their place, taken from younger and more productive trees. The Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana is also helping cashew farmers by identifying the most productive cashew plants, for multiplication and distribution to farmers.

published: May 2010