TREE PRODUCTION/ FORESTRY

LESSON #21:3

AGRICULTURE; TREE PRODUCTION/ FORESTRY

Uganda has been blessed by good flora. It’s an all green country, but unfortunately it is quickly getting deforested. (You know what happening to Mabira, Nakasongola is now getting semi-arid). Trees are important to the environment in balancing the Eco-system, controlling rain, balancing carbon dioxide e.t.c. The rate of deforestation as we speak if not stopped or repaired by planting more trees our children’s generation will be living in semi-arid/ desert environment, food will be scarcer and the soil eroded.

HOW CAN UGANDAN’S INVEST IN TREE PRODUCTION?

1.     Start by planting trees in your home compound. Plant fruit trees because they will produce food (fruits) and shade. Fruit tress take shorter time to mature (3-5 years)

2.     Start a seedling bed of several tree species. Fruit trees are cheaper because the seeds are readily available e.g. Jack fruit, oranges, mangoes, avocados e.t.c. Then sell the seedlings for money.

3.     Start an orchard farm as a hobby you shall be reaping in 3-6 years.

4.     Planting cash crop trees like Pine, Cyprus and Eucalyptus are very profitable but degrade the soil in the long run, Pine most especially.

5. Protect the natural forests near you; they will protect your new seedlings from the hush scotching sun and stormy rain seasons.