Kourweogo: As part of the Integrated Resilience Support Program for Sustainable Land Management (PARI-GST) implemented in Gassan, Sourgoubila, and To©ghin, the Office for the Development of Evangelical Churches (ODE) provided 400 households in the commune of To©ghin with fruit tree seedlings, including mango, orange, and guava trees. The distribution event took place in the presence of provincial administrative authorities, customary and religious leaders, and the technical services of the commune.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the ceremony was held on the market garden site developed by PARI-GST. The initiative aims to enhance environmental protection and promote food diversification in the region. Pierre Kabor©, the ODE program coordinator, emphasized that the conservation and protection of plant cover is a divine recommendation. This effort is also aligned with the national goal of achieving the "5 million trees in 1 hour" objective set by the government.
Mr. Kabor© stated that this allocation would not only increase vegetation cover and combat desertification but also strengthen household resilience to climate change effects by producing fruits for food and income generation. During the event, technical services in charge of the environment and agriculture conducted practical demonstrations on planting seedlings and provided advice on choosing planting sites and maintaining the trees.
Participants received training on best practices to ensure the survival and optimal growth of the young plants. The Secretary General of Kourweogo Province, Harouna Kombass©r©, urged beneficiaries to care for and maintain the plants to achieve the desired outcomes. He thanked the ODE and its partners for their contribution to the socio-economic development of the province.
Hamado Sinar©, a beneficiary, stated that this initiative complements existing efforts by PARI-GST in the locality, including the development of market gardening sites, rice-growing lowlands, awareness-raising on sustainable natural resource management, training in plant production, assisted natural regeneration, and the establishment of defensive hedges. "This grant is a support that combines the fight against poverty and environmental preservation," he concluded.