Sunyani (B/A) Jan. 31 GNA - The Faculty of Forest Resource Technology of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Sunyani has secured a three million dollars grant from the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) to undertake an agro-forestry project in the municipality.

Mr. Lawrence Antwi, Dean of the faculty disclosed this to the Ghana News Agency after a meeting in Sunyani to showcase the activities of the Sunyani Forest Forum on Wednesday.

He said the faculty, in collaboration with the Sunyani Polytechnic, had also received a grant of 500,000 dollars from CIDA to undertake a five-year project in waste and bushfire management, awareness creation about HIV/AIDS and to encourage eco-tourism in Brong Ahafo with support from Malaspina University in British Columbia.

Mr. Antwi mentioned Fiapre, Dumasua and Ayakomaso as three communities in the municipality that had been selected for the agro-forestry project, which would be implemented by the faculty in conjunction with Guelph University in Canada, through the use of technologies to enhance the resource base of the communities.

He explained that under the agro-forestry project, which would commence this year and last for five years, the beneficiary communities would be encouraged to engage in grasscutter and snail rearing, mushroom production, bee-keeping as well as poultry and livestock by providing them with the necessary inputs and logistics.

Mr. Antwi said under the project, farmers would also be introduced into modern agriculture such as crop rotation and mixed farming and would also be assisted in post harvest storage of maize, cassava, tomatoes and other vegetables for national food security.

He said the faculty would also help determine the fertility of the soil in the beneficiary communities before the projects would start. The dean added that communities and towns noted for tourist attractions in the region would be developed and the people encouraged to protect such tourist sites to enhance eco-tourism.

Addressing the meeting, Nana Bosoma Asor Nkrawiri II, Omanhene of Sunyani traditional area appealed to the government to institute a forest resource management fund to help sustain forest resources. The Omanhene, who is also Chairman of Sunyani Forest Forum, said 0.5 percent or more of the revenue generated from natural resources could be channelled into the fund to sustain forests in the country. He said the forum, formed in 2003 was made up of traditional rulers, representatives of NGOs, District Assemblies, Fire Service, Forestry Commission timber merchants and the National Disaster Management Organisation.

Nana Bosoma stated that the forum was a vibrant advocacy platform in the forest sector that could effectively contribute to the sustainable management of the forests and other natural resources.