GRA – Tz through its landscape restoration project distributes tree seedlings to the farmers who live in the hillside surrounding communities in an effort to re-forest parts of the Mara Region. These tree seedlings are grown and nurtured at the Butiama nursery by the GRA-TZ staff.
Background of the project
Butiama Hillside Project is implemented under the agreement of two partners (members of a consortium) i.e., Global Resource Alliance Tanzania (affiliated by Global Resource Alliance- United States of America) and WeForest. WeForest, headquartered in Belgium, is a major force for landscape restoration in many countries throughout the world. WeForest provides the bulk of the financing and technical support for our Butiama Hillside Project.
Forest restoration in the Butiama District focuses on nurturing back forest on the hillsides and increasing the tree components in the wider landscape. This program also involves the creation of community forests of these hillsides with a legal status and to improve the water catchment and as such dried-up water springs. Forest restoration is intended to be supported by assisted natural regeneration and the introduction of woodlots and agroforestry systems that will improve the livelihoods of the local population.
Community Engagement
Families and representatives of communities leaving close to the conserved hillside organizations are enrolled to the project and registered in groups through which they receive trainings to practice agroforestry in their respective individual farms. When prompted they are eligible to receive as many tree seedlings as they can plant and care for in their respective agroforestry systems of their choice. The individuals are responsible for the care of the seedlings and are required to attend a tree planting training before receiving their trees at the Butiama Agroforestry Training Center. GRA – Tz staff makes site visits to provide technical support before, during and after the seedlings have been planted to ensure they are being properly protected and cared for.
Tree Varieties
We offer a large variety of useful trees for agroforestry systems. These trees are meant to provide farmers with availability of fodder, fruits, soil nutrients, medicinal values, building poles, firewood, timber and more. For example, benefits from papaya and Moringa oleifera are super foods packed with vitamins, minerals, protein and nutrients that can combat malnourishment in children, pregnant women and those living with HIV/AIDS. Neem (Azadiratcha indica) can be used to treat many diseases including malaria, especially when combined with Artemisia annual.
- Neem (Azadirachta Indica)
- Moringa oleifera
- Jatropha
- Lemon (Citrus limon)
- Orange (Citrus sinensis)
- Mango (Mangifera Indica)
- Avocado (Persea Americana)
- Guava (Psidium guajava)
- Pawpaw or Papaya (Carica papaya)
- Banana (Musa sp)
- Passion Fruit (Passiflora incranata)
- Mulberry (Morus nigra)
- Pineapple (Ananas comosus)
Contact:
Specioza Kifutu, Reforestation Project Manager
Phone: +255 757521088
Email: specioza@globalresourcealliance.org
Address: Butiama Agroforestry Training Center
Butiama, Mara Region, Tanzania