Kade, July 12, GNA - Four hundred hectares of four degraded Forest Reserves in the Kade Forest District have been re-planted since 2002 under the National Modified Plantation Development Programme (NMPDP). The four degraded forests where 536,000 tree seedlings were planted were the Ajendua, Kwekura, Jade Bepo and Atewa Extension Forest Reserves.

The replanted forests were among 12 forest reserves in the Kade Forest District, which had been devastated by bush fires and illegal chainsaw operators.

Mr Emmanuel Osei-Kojo, Range Supervisor in-charge of Plantations told the Ghana News Agency that 900 farmers in nine communities around the reserves were engaged on the programme.

The communities are Amoana, Nwenso, Ekuase, Pankese, Adausena, Old Abirem, Amenam, Oseikrom and Mpintimpi.

According to Mr Osei-Kojo, a total amount of 260 million cedis was paid to the farmers engaged on the programme between 2002 and 2004. He said the farmers would also be given 40 per cent share of the proceeds from the trees after they have been harvested and sold.

The Supervisor told the GNA that seven of the communities were selected for the production of the 560,000 various species of tree seedlings used for the programme including the Ofram, Emire, Onyina and Cedrella.