Since early June 2019 KELLAFRICA has been implementing its agroforestry project in the Nsonga Village located in the Biyouha district. This visit to the site of the KELLAFRIQUE association made it possible to draw alarming conclusions.
A severe observation
With the virtual disappearance of the National Forest Fund, the problems are now accumulating: the ageing of stands is resulting in an increase in health risks, global warming is causing the loss of some of the young plantations. Despite the availability of young forest plants, the renewal of the forest stratum remains insufficient and not very visible throughout the territory.
How, in this context, can we react? KELLAFRIQUE underlines the urgency of carrying out a common, albeit unique, project to promote the future of the forest. The association intends to solicit assistance in the acquisition of forest plants on the one hand, but to find other partners through sponsorship or even volunteer work, the synergy of which will quickly bear fruit. Forests have an ecological function that must be associated with their economic role. A profitable forest ensures the maintenance of populations through the economic activity it generates and also contributes to the maintenance of the rural landscape.
Solutions to be promoted
Forest experts in direct contact with reforestation volunteers insist on the need to increase the choice of species in order to favour a greater diversity of afforestation, which will thus be better adapted to climate change. Indeed, climate shifts are now a factor to be taken seriously into account in the long term. Involving local authorities and populations in land use planning could also help the forest. Convincing local elected officials and citizens of this validity remains a delicate task, as logging is not well received by the public. Enhanced communication on this subject could explain the importance of logging. Agroforestry is also positioned as an opportunity to renew the tree layer. Trees in agricultural environments are a resource with multiple effects, starting with limiting erosion, improving soil quality through the tree’s organic nutrients, the presence of crop auxiliaries and pollinating insects.
Participants in the association’s descent into the Nsonga’a village in Biyouha district provided an example of agroforestry in the young forest that exists there. This operation allowed the planting of trees on an area of one hectare.
In conclusion, the participants in this day all share the same opinion: wooded areas must increase, both in the forest and on the rest of the territory, in order to maintain the volumes of wood necessary for future generations and the economy. This is despite the current reluctance due to the lack of financial support in this area. Fostering private and public investment in this sector will therefore ensure its sustainability.