VRA Sensitizes Communities on Agroforestry

The Environment and Sustainable Development Department (E&SDD) of the Volta River Authority has organized a sensitization programmme on agroforestry for the inhabitants of Dodi Asante Krom and students of Apegusu Senior High School both within impacted areas of the Authority.

The programme was aimed at educating the people on the importance of Agroforestry as a means of safe guarding the Volta Lake while creating a diverse, productive, profitable, healthy and sustainable land use system.

Addressing the opinion leaders and people of Dodi Asante krom and students of Apegusu Senior High School at different events, the Principal Environment Officer of the E&SDD, Mr. George Bamford, noted that Agroforestry has a lot in common with intercropping. Both, according to him, have two or more plant species in close interaction. Furthermore, both provide multiple outputs, and in consequence, higher overall yields and cost reduction (because a single application or input is shared).

Mr Bamford observed that Agroforestry systems can be advantageous over conventional agricultural, and forest production methods. "They can offer increased productivity, economic benefits, and more diversity in the ecological goods and services provided," he noted.

Agroforestry practices may also realize a number of other associated environmental goals, such as: Carbon seizure, odour, dust, and noise reduction, green space and visual beauty enhancement or maintenance of wildlife habitat.

"Trees and shrubs can increase a farm's profits when they are grown to produce high-value timber or other tree products." Mr Bamford indicated.

Mr Bamford encouraged the people to inculcate the use of Agroforestry into their agricultural practices as it provides a different land use option, compared with traditional arable and forestry systems. In addition, the practice makes use of the complementarity between trees and crops, so that the available resources can be effectively exploited. 

"The agroforestry plot remains productive for the farmer and generates continuous revenue, which is not the case when arable land is exclusively reforested. Agroforestry allows for the diversification of farm activity and makes better use of environmental resources," he observed.

 

Interaction with Dodi Asante Krom community

Interaction with Apegusu Senior High School

In other news (November, 2014)

• VRA Records an Operating Profit of GHS 208.11 Million in 2013 Fiscal Year.
• VRA organizes Health Walk.

 

Read other year 2014 news | Read archived news

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