“Tree-Nation will always favor agro-forestry methods when possible.
The “oldest science in the world” consists of mixing the planting of trees and agriculture. This allows an increase in agricultural productivity as the trees provide shelter from wind and sun, while also allowing better access to water, due to the tree root systems.”
It encourages to lower cost cutting and reduces CO2 emissions produced by transportation and the manufacturing of irrigation material. By using realistic methods for the country, it especially facilitates the propagation of these methods throughout Niger.
For best results, the planting takes place during the rainy season.
Thanks to the plantation techniques used, the rainy season, lasting 3 months, brings enough water to meet the plants’ requirements. During the inspections, some additional manual waterings can be done.
Depending on the ground morphology several techniques are possible:
The simple trough
Holes of 40 cm deep are dug to accommodate the trees. The planting takes place after the first rainy season. In ideal conditions, a second rain will come within the next 2 days of the planting stage. If the rain does not come, seedlings are sprinkled manually until the next rain.
The half-moon
A ditch forming a half-moon is dug where two or three seedlings are planted. This technique is mainly used on sloping ground. The half-moons are laid out in a quincunx pattern (also called “champagne fountain”) to keep water in the ground and prevent soil erosion.
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