Tree Planting Day

August 3 :  This is the Day of Independence for Niger ... August 3, 1960 marking the nation's independence from France.  Since 1975, Niger commemorates its independence by planting trees in a fight against desertification.  

Desertification is a reality that I see evident in the fields of Kongou, the village where I work.  For when I sit in the village during cold season, when the strong winds blow, I watch the sand and soil drift away in the winds.  The chief of the village says that when he was a child, the village lands were a "jungle;" and that elephants, lions, and giraffes roamed their lands.  Since that time, as the Fulani roamed less with their cattle and became semi-nomadic, these trees were chopped down to make fields in which to grow millet - the staple of the Fulani diet (aside from milk from their cows).

In one village area this year - we celebrated Independence Day by planting trees!  We planted two types of trees which each have multiple benefits beyond that of aiding against soil erosion.  

neem trees: These trees provide great shade (so one was planted in the centre of a village site to provide shade for meetings) ... butt, more importantly, the oil from its fruit is used to prevent worms from eating the millet and also in a water formula to spray on gardens to deter lizards from eating the growing vegetables.

acacia trees: These trees replenish the field soil with nitrogens which promote better growth of the millet.  Its seeds can also be ground into a flour to eat as a staple in the place of millet or corn during times when the millet harvest is not plentiful ... this flour is also used in a weaning mush for infants that promotes good health and growth.  Finally, the villagers state that if you eat the leaves of this tree - it settles an upset stomach.

In one of the fields of this village - there still remains some acacia trees in a line ... and the rate of growth of this field far exceeds that of the fields around it!  

field with no acacia trees      

   

field with acacia trees

As the national partner and I pointed this out, Mahamadou (the village representative) said: "Oh, we had no idea these trees were good for the fields - we have cut many of these down!" ... Notwithstanding my teaching this for 4 years, and this being our third attempt at tree planting: having a visual for them during the rainy season, when they can see the verity of my words in action, has had a huge impact.

The first year we attempted tree planting by teaching them to start nursery sacs of both trees in each village site ... these trees fell victim to the lizards who ate every tree which sprouted to life!  As an agricultural agent from Burkina Faso, who came to this village area to assist with brainstorming on garden and tree ideas, said: "Truly this is the desert ... no wonder the lizards eat everything ... there is no other greenery for them to eat!"

The second year - we planted trees that were already started in tree nurseries in the city.  I suspect that many were eaten by goats (they eat everything - including trees, like the neem, which reportedly no goat will eat ... again, because it is the desert and they have little else to scavenge between rainy seasons).  However, one of these trees in this village survived:

So here we are now ... Tree Planting Day ~ Take 3!!

There are three family groupings of huts out here in this village, 14 households and just over 100 people - each group of huts contains the father, head of the family, his sons and their families and as a family they work their fields together.  The trees we planted were divided and spread between each of the three large shared fields.

First order of business - some holes needed to be dug, as not all had been dug prior to our arrival. 

The acacia trees will be planted in multiple lines spreading horizontally through their fields to best spread the nitrogen replenishment throughout all their field land.  The neem trees will be planted on the edge of the fields - as they do not contribute to the soil properties, but will also act as wind barrier to soil erosion.  

This area here is the edge of Mahamadou's fields ... the land is arid and dry and has never been planted

but with the help of both these trees and planting millet by zai holes (see future posts on our experimental field) ... this land can be reclaimed and become arable again!

Yeah ... let's dig a hole out here too!

Bringing in the trees
Once the holes were all dug and ready for trees - the men brought in the trees from my truck.  

This goat was tied up near where we deposited the trees ... 

....  and as I mentioned, goats eat any and everything!   This guy perked right up thinking he'd 'died and gone to heaven' to have such a smorgasbord of lush green trees deposited right next to him!

Thankfully he was attached - but, I couldn't resist the opportunity to tell him "NO!!"  Just to make sure he understood!






























At this point in rainy season, their animals are tied up to not eat their millet, beans, okra and hibiscus plants (the leaves of which go in sauce and the flowers to make a juice) growing in the fields.  However, once rainy season is finished - these trees will need to be protected, most being encircled by thorn bush plantings or perhaps metal fencing.

The first tree to go in is a neem tree - planted in the middle of a grouping of huts.

Christophe, our national training partner, takes the time to teach the men how to plant the trees.

This neem tree makes me happy ... for we hold many meetings out in this village and having a tree to provide a large compass of shade will be welcome!

Grow little tree, grow!!

We then move on to plant an acacia tree - the start of one line through the fields of Mahamadou:

Finally, the villagers begin to plant their own trees ... Mahamadou planting his first acacia tree.  

Through the teaching of Christophe, as he works alongside them, these men are learning how to increase their livelihood in their agricultural methods and to better provide for their families.  It brings me joy to see the villagers pride and their joy in the work!

I left the men to continue on with the planting, as there were 52 trees in total to go in:  36 acacia trees and 16 neem trees!!




Note:  This day was extra special as my team niece, Elise, came to the village with me - needing pictures for a school project.   

And she took pictures of me as well, which is rare as I am often out alone!  Any pic labelled " E  " ... all photo creds go to her!


While the holes for the trees were being dug, we had fun playing with the village kids!:

And ... that's a wrap!