ERuDeF agro-foresters employ smartphones in data collection

The agro-foresters had earlier on received training on this new monitoring and evaluation technique from Ben Addlestone, John Munsell and Andrew Zacharias from Trees for Future USA when they visited Cameroon recently.

The ERuDeF agro-foresters tested their new skills on February 5, 2015 at a forest garden farm in Dibanda Mile 14, Buea, South West Region.

The trio from Trees for Future USA also seized the opportunity to interact with old and new staff and monitor progress of work and use of funds, examine process of transition for old and new farms, determine a plan of action for 2015 and beyond, based on the overall Trees project objectives adapted for the Cameroon model.

They were also out to test new monitoring and evaluation surveys in the field and give feedback, seek out partners and collaborators for expansion as well as determine how the Cameroon program can best fit into the new Trees for the Future model.

Meanwhile, the owner of the farm, Funge Nicholas, said his annual income has risen to 2 million francs cfa on a nine-hectare piece of land, thanks to forest gardening.

Funge grows crops such as cocoa, coffee, plantains, bananas, maize, oranges, plums, pears, palms, timber and agro-forestry trees like calliandra and lucenia.

The farmer said the agro-forestry tree species have fertilized the soil subsequently increasing his crop yields. "The forest garden technique has really developed my farm, and I advise other farmers to use this technique to improve their output and incomes. I am now a successful farmer thanks to the assistance from ERuDeF and partner," said Funge.

ERuDeF and partner, Trees for the Future, has been training farmers on the forest gardening approach and encourage farming groups and individuals to practise agro-forestry techniques in crop production to increase crop yields and improve income.