Voice of Nature (VoNat) is intensifying efforts to promote sustainable farming and forest conservation in the Mount Cameroon area through the distribution of agroforestry tree species, including Acacia and soursop, to farmers in Bwitinngi, Bokova, and CEAC villages. With support from the New England Biolabs Foundation, this initiative goes beyond tree planting.
Farmers are being trained on how to properly plant, manage, and care for the trees to ensure they thrive on their farmlands. “Receiving these trees is a very good idea. At least even if I don’t enjoy it, my children will. It’s a good initiative, and I would love to see them grow, especially the soursop. I think I need more. The ones we planted at the boundaries are also good but they are for the younger generation. I like the initiative more because some of the trees are medicinal. I really want to encourage other community members to receive these trees and plant them as well,” Mondua Claude, a farmer in Bwitinngi, expressed his appreciation.
Another farmer based in Bokova, Akama Raphael, highlighted the importance of the program:
“We need these trees because our village is expanding, so we need more of them to balance the ecosystem and help the community. I have been told that these acacia trees support our farming endeavors by improving soil fertility. So, I think it’s a double advantage, because we get to improve our soil fertility, make the area green, and enjoy the fruits. We want the area to be green.”
Agroforestry practices like these enrich soils, reduce farm input costs, and provide valuable resources such as fruits, timber, and fuelwood. Most importantly, they help reduce pressure on the fragile ecosystems of Mount Cameroon National Park, which has long been threatened by farmland expansion and overharvesting. By combining tree planting with farmer education, the initiative is helping communities secure better harvests while conserving one of Africa’s most important biodiversity hotspots.