The Methodist Mission Agricultural Programme (MMAP) in collaboration with Future In Our Hands (FIOH) last weekend embarked on a two-day tree planting exercise in Pallol and Changai Lower Basic Schools, as well as  the village of Jamali Kebba Jobe, all in the Central River Region (CRR) north.

Speaking at the tree planting exercise, the MMAP extension field technical adviser, Balla Musa Colley said they have planted a total number of five hundred and fifty-three (553) trees in the two schools and one community. He noted that the trees planted include; mangoes, cashew, bokin villa, jatropha and faidherbia. He called on the communities to take good care of the trees, noting that some of them will serve as windbreakers and source income for them. He asserted that protecting the forest can lead to many benefits, and among them is the protection of the soil against desertification and wind erosion as well as the improvement of rainfall percolation.

The FIOH field officer in CRR, Omar Cham urged the beneficiaries to change their attitude towards the protection of the forest. He challenged the people of CRR to embark on enrichment planting. He observed that the frequent uncontrolled bush fires and other exploitations have changed the forests to lesser density.