Samsam-Odumase (GAR), July 4, GNA - The World of Hope International (WOHI), a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) in the US, in collaboration with Kumasi Institute of Tropical Agriculture (KITA), have organized a day's workshop in agro-forestry and tree planting for farmers in Samsam-Odumase in the Ga West District in the Greater Accra Region on Friday.

The farmers also received training in the uses and importance of agro-forestry trees, seed treatment, nursery management, transplanting and maintenance of sustainable trees, as well as agro-forestry technologies such as alley cropping, live fencing and windbreaks. Mr Ahmed Ali Dauda, Technical Facilitator for Perma Culture who took the farmers through the training, said tree planting symbolized hope and the continuity of life as well as helping to salvage the forest from degradation.

He said it also increased awareness of climate change and the variety of ecosystems in the earth.

Mr Lovans Owusu Takyi, Co-ordinator for Trees for the Future, an NGO also based in US who supplied the seeds, said it was important that the farmers integrate sustainable tree planting into their farms to help improve soil fertility, increase crop yield and help stem climate change.

Madam Monica Westin, President and founder of World of Hope in the US said her organization is committed in supporting the people of Samsam-Odumase to improve their nutrition, education, health and the environment.

She said sustainable tree planting is important to be integrated into the farming activities to supplement and enhance their incomes and improve the holistic well-being of the people. Madam Westin expressed gratitude to the farmers for their enthusiastic support for the exercise and advised them to take personal interest in the trees they have received and planted by watering them to ensure their growth. Each farmer, after the exercise received free supply of seeds of 500 spices of leuceana, glindidia, calliandra, moringa, neem and albizia trees, learnt about their use to improve soil fertility, fodder for livestock, fire wood, nutritional and medicinal values.