By Hanane Lahder | Reporting Manager
Introduction
The purpose of this report is to provide an overview of the tree planting and carbon offset project workshop held in Timichi Village, Sti Fadma municipality, on March 19, 2024. The workshop, facilitated by High Atlas Foundation (HAF) Field Managers, aimed to educate local farmers on the importance of sustainable agriculture and the benefits of participating in tree planting and carbon projects being undertaken by HAF and its partners. The workshop supports the Project, which seeks to deliver 40,000 trees across five villages within the Sti Fadma municipality.
Workshop Overview
The objectives of the workshop were to:
HAF Field Managers Abdelijalil and Essaid facilitated the 3-hour workshop in Timichi village. The workshop was attended by 16 local farmers.
Following introductions, HAF Field Officers provided an overview of the tree planting project, and outlined the social, economic, and environmental benefits. Participants discussed local farming practices, and HAF Field Officers offered practical guidance on choosing tree species, site preparation, planting methods, monitoring and maintenance, as well as harvesting. This included a demonstration on using an almond sapling. Facilitating open discussion, HAF Field Officers welcomed participant feedback and collaboration. The workshop concluded with an overview of carbon projects and the benefits they offer.
The workshop was followed by a field visit to two farms to monitor the progress of the tree planting efforts undertaken one month prior. To date, a total of 4,253 trees have been distributed in Timichi village. Field Managers met with farmers and observed the growth and health of the trees.
All of the workshop participants expressed a commitment to planting trees and an interest in carbon offset projects. Field Managers observed that correct planting techniques had generally been used for recently planted trees. Future workshops and farm visits are recommended and welcomed, to upskill farmers and ensure project success.
During the field visit, Field Managers noted that some of the farmers had not adopted the correct tree planting techniques. This appeared to be affecting the health of the newly planted saplings. For example, it was observed that newly planted fig saplings had not been adequately spaced four meters apart. This will create competition between growing saplings. It is noted that farmers are working to transplant these growing saplings. Whilst 300 meters of the Sequia irrigation system has been rehabilitated, some sections remain damaged and not all farms are supported by adequate irrigation. Further it was observed that some community members were using growing trees to dry clothing. This risks damage to the trees.
Additional workshops with practical training will be undertaken in the other four villages. Learning from the first workshop in Timichi, it is recommended that these workshops offer more in-depth instruction on topics such as site preparation, proper techniques for planting trees, monitoring and maintenance requirements, and best practices for caring for farms. Regular follow-up farm visits will also be important to provide farmers with ongoing guidance and support to help ensure the success of their newly established farms and participation in carbon projects over the long term. The hands-on nature of expanded training, combined with supportive follow-up, aims to strengthen farmers' skills and increase project outcomes across the villages.
Beneficiary Feedback
Farmers were very engaged in the workshop and expressed thanks for the knowledge shared. They look forward to applying what they learned to boost agricultural sustainability and incomes in their community. Participation in carbon projects was seen as an added benefit.
‘’I have benefited greatly from this workshop. It provided us with essential information on planting and caring for trees, especially how important it is to irrigate them properly for maximum development and productivity. It also exposed us to the idea of the carbon project, which is a new concept that we hope to utilize in the future. I would like to express my sincere appreciation to the High Atlas Foundation and its partners for their work and initiatives in our village through several projects, the most important of which is tree planting’’.
Conclusion
The tree planting and carbon projects workshop provided valuable knowledge and inspiration to local farmers. Tree planting was highlighted as a means to promote sustainable agriculture, generate income, and support local communities. Encouraging farmers to adopt tree planting practices and participate in carbon projects will contribute to a more sustainable future for all farmers.
By Essaid Meria and Michaela Creel | Field Manager and Intern
By Essaid Meria | HAF Tree Monitoring Officer
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