January 10, 2021
By: MORISON MKOROMA (KENEMA)
During a day exhibition of a demonstration farm to farmers and stakeholders from the Gola Rainforest conservation limited in Makpele chiefdom, Pujehun District, farmers have made a clarion call on the Government of Sierra Leone, Gola Rainforest Conservation Limited by Guarantee and partners for more support. The move is to let small holder farmers refrain from the practices of slash-and-burn-farming system in community forests, the farmers say.
Whilst thanking the organizers and partners for the existing ties and orientations in Pujehun district, Morison Fofanah, a resident of Bayama-Makpele Chiefdom, disclosed that the project has brought more enlightenment to community members, precipitating more afforestation in their community forests with economic trees that may prevent future hazards and better the lives of unborn generation thus the need for more such supports and educations.
He called for more in-corporation of farmers in farm and environment related matters for the benefit of all.
In a vivid explanation, the MRU field facilitator stated that the project is being implemented right across the national park in the South-East Regions of Sierra Leone.
Sheaka Swarray further revealed that the Gola Rainforest Conservation land scape constitutes of seven chiefdoms in three districts disclosing that nine demonstration plots were established across the Gola land scape for 240 farmers with each farmer owning an acre of plot.
In her testimonies, another resident of Bayama-Makpele, in Pujehun district Lucinda Sama, was happy to make known that with the supports gained from the Gola Rainforest Conservation in the agroforestry programs, she had enormously benefited from other economic plantations in her farm whilst awaiting the cocoa to start production. Lucinda assured the givers of judicious use of the crops, trees and other items received for nursery establishment.
Francis Musa Massaquoi is the head of Gola rain Forest Conservation Limited. Whilst addressing concerns from participants, he also acknowledges the demands from numerous farmers for the project and assured his audience of the continued incorporation of more farmers and agroforestry when funds are available.