IITA-CGIAR conducted a Tree Management and Propagation workshop for conservationists from Crescendo Africa, from 14 to 16 November. Crescendo Africa is a non-profit organization dedicated to conserving endangered species, protecting forests, and restoring degraded forests through community-based initiatives that foster sustainable development in Plateau State, Nigeria.
IITA Capacity Development Office and IITA Forest Center facilitated the robust 3-day workshop that covered nursery establishment and tending operations; seed collection, extraction, cleaning, and storage; tree management; vegetative propagation; and garden management. Speaking on the expected outcomes for their training, Crescendo Team Lead Andrew Niagwana said, “To acquire more skills to promote our afforestation and conservation projects.”
IITA Field Supervisor Olukunle Olasupo emphasized the importance of understanding the terrain and soil best suited for specific tree species to thrive. He identified an important phase of nursery establishment and tending operations called hardening up, where seedlings are deprived of water and shade in quantified degrees to prepare them for adaptation to the harsh terrains of the open field where they will be transplanted.
They learned the various methods to break the dormancy of orthodox seeds and the immediate sowing techniques for recalcitrant seeds. Olasupo said, “Knowing the specific techniques to use for various seeds will guarantee 100% germination. Some require soaking in hot or cold water for a specific number of days. Some require acid stratification.”
The team went to the field to collect seeds from parent trees on the forest floor. They gathered the seeds of Nauclea diderrichii, Tetrapleura tetraptera, Cola gigantea, Prosopis africana, Afzelia africana, and more. They practiced unique extraction and planting in different soil media.
IITA Forest Center staff member Babatunde Joshua led the team through the Forest Center’s botanic nursery to learn vegetable gardening operations and the uses and identification of various medicinal plants. This activity generated much excitement in the team as they appreciated the vast solutions embedded in nature for health and wellbeing.
The training presented an exciting opportunity for knowledge sharing as the Forest Center and Crescendo teams exchanged experiences in the field of conservation. Both teams highlighted their challenges in the field of nature conservation, including government policy backing, herdsmen invasion, and inclusive community participation.
Their visit coincided with the Nigerian Bird Festival celebration at the IITA Forest Center, and the Crescendo team seized the opportunity to celebrate birds with the IITA team. Andrew attested, “This is a transformative training experience. Our productivity and professionalism have soared; from tree propagation to effective disease control, the insights we’ve gained are invaluable. We are especially grateful for the agro-business proposals that promise profit without sidelining our current careers. The certificates we received are not just papers; they are badges of growth and accomplishment.”
Contributed by Folake OduntanContributed by
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