As part of the Lake Chad Basin Conservation Project, funded by Global Affairs Canada, a training session was held from April 23 to 25, 2025, in the communities of Djaoudé, Tero, and Guirvidig in Cameroon.
The training aimed to help restore the productivity of degraded farmland by planting soil-enriching vegetation and raising awareness about the importance of trees in farming. It also encouraged local communities to play an active role in protecting these trees. Although some trees grow back naturally, young plants often face damage or removal — which is why farmers’ involvement in protecting them is so important.
In total, 187 farmers — including 60 women and 65 youth — were trained in how to recognize and care for young trees and shrubs, including how to trim them. They also practiced protecting trees by marking over 150 hectares of farmland with paint to help safeguard them.
This initiative is part of broader efforts to restore land affected by climate change and human activity, including the cutting of valuable tree species such as Balanites aegyptiaca (desert date), known for its food, medicinal, and animal feed uses, and Faidherbia albida (gao), which naturally enriches the soil with its nitrogen-rich leaves. These two species are essential for food security, biodiversity, and helping rural communities adapt to climate challenges.
