During the planting stages we call upon the surrounding villages. As it is often the case in Africa, the ownership of the ground is divided between the landowners who own it by written contract and the villagers who have been living there for generations.
A consensus exists between the interested parties which lets the farmers cultivate the ground.
If the owner decides to cultivate the ground for his own account, he will call upon the farmers who live there to cultivate the ground in exchange of remuneration.
It is in compliance with these rules that our trees are planted. With the help of the landowner we give work to the villages at the time of planting. The rest of the year they are free to cultivate their own seeds on the same ground (agroforestry). A guard ensures that the trees are not mishandled.
Until now we transported by truck the seedlings of Niamey until the place of plantation (150 km).
This year we had to do 12 return tickets to be able to transport the 35000 trees to be planted. In 2009, with the construction of a seedbed on the place of plantation we will be able to avoid this stage, which is expensive in energy. Just after the plantation, in September, we organize a mission of replanting. The objective is to see which seedlings did not take and to immediately replant a new tree at this place.
During the year we organize missions of prune and care. That also makes it possible to check the work of the guard and speaking with the villages.
Through the INRAN, we keep a permanent contact with the owners.
As soon as the trees reach a sufficient size for harvest, our local experts will deal with directing the harvest of the fruits and other products of the tree.
