The Forestry Services Division (FSD) is encouraging more people to begin the cultivation of tree species like eucalyptus, teak, acacia and rosewood.
The Lawra Forest District Manager of FSD, Francis Brobbey, said the cultivation of tree species helps in the conservation of the environment as well as serve as an alternative source of income.
Mr Brobbey speaking to GBC at Kamba mentioned that under the Tree Tenure and Benefit Sharing Framework in Ghana, farmers are able to make huge financial returns on trees they cultivate thus the need for more people to show interest in the sector.
To lead the way, about 20 hectares of rosewood seedlings from the Ministry of Environment Science Technology and Innovation (MESTI) have been nursed and planted at the Kamba Tributaries Forest Reserve by the FSD. This forms part of efforts to reforest parts of the Upper West Region.
More than 600 youth have been engaged to plant 524 hectares of tree species between 2018 and 2019.
Mr Brobbery admitted that “although some tree species like rosewood are ‘hard trees’ and have a longer gestation period of between 10-15 years, other species like the eucalyptus, acacia and teak have shorter gestation periods thus suitable for cultivation”.
He said a fully grown single teak tree could sell for more than a ¢100.00 and can re-germinate when cut while other species like acacia could be harvested for firewood and charcoal.
The Lawra Forest District Manager was however quick to add that tree species need constant attention in its early stages to grow well.
He added that due to the palatability of certain tree species, animals tend to feed on the seedling thus the need for formers to protect their investments while also creating fire belts to guard against bush fires.
Story filed by Mark Smith.