Farmers in Zambia are being encouraged to plant trees such as Musanga and Moringa in their fields to provide a range of benefits.

An article in Lusaka Voice reports on a pilot program by the Agriculture Consultative Forum (ACF) in collaboration with Ministry of Lands, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to provide farmers in Mufumbwe District of North Western province with seedlings of Musanga and Moringa. The hope is that the program will be scaled up to other parts of the country

Musanga cecropiodes, the African corkwood tree or umbrella tree, is found in tropical Africa. Its soft timber is used in some countries for roofing material and rafters. The trees are useful for shade and the bark and sap used in medicines. The leaves provide ideal compost.

Moringa oleifera is native to the Himalayas but widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical areas. The leaves are a good source of protein, vitamins A, B and C, minerals such as calcium and iron, and amino acids. They also make a useful mulch.

District Forestry Officer, Eversty Hang’andu, said planting of the two trees will reduce farmers need to buy fertilizer for their crops as the trees provide nutrients for the soil.

Read the full story: Mufimbwe farmers urged to engage in climate smart agriculture