Yodo Cameroon Empowers Youths in Tree Planting

Youth Development Organization-Yodo Cameroon, a youth result oriented organisation based in Nkambe, Donga Mantung has kickstarted an environmental education programme aimed at empowering youths in tree planting. Addressing students of the Binju Family Farm School, Fai Cassian Ndi, Coordinator of Yodo Cameroon, said planting the right tree at the right and the time nowadays is the greatest a child can offer to humanity. He equally emphasized that at time of climate crisis and climate emergency, any tree planted out of the forest is a precious move to mitigate the negative impact of climate change. For close to five hours, the over 30 students who came for the Study Visit were drilled on the various vegetative propagation techniques such as grafting, budding and marcoting. The students were equally lectured on the management of tree nurseries, how to plant trees and maintenances. They were equally introduced to various species of trees ranging from fruit trees to agroforestry trees as well as environment friendly trees. One of the activities that caught the admiration of teachers and students was that the plastic waste Management techniques. Students were shown how money was growing from plastic waste. " I can't believe that these whisky sachets could be used in growing trees, this is innovative and fantastic", one of the students remarked. 

It is worth mentioning that Yodo Cameroon runs one of the largest tree nurseries in the North West Region. The nursery equally trains youths who are interested in trees production as aborists. Besides that, Yodo is equally involved in working with farmers on how to set up backyard gardens as a reliable source of income and encourages organic farming. Mbungong Klinton Ndi, project manager says their dream is to work in collaboration with the ministry of environment, nature protection and sustainable development as well as the Ministry of Forestry to encourage schools environment clubs to be actors in the battle against climate change. " The easiest way to reach the communities is to pass through schools", he added. 

Before leaving the Director of Family Farm School, Adamu Clement expressed gratitude to the staff of Yodo-Cameroon for the efforts to instill youths into agroforestry activities. He promised that the school will continue to work in collaboration with Yodo Cameroon in order to build environment consciousness in youths. Kongso Roland one of the teachers who also accompanied the student said he was flattered by the innovative ideas that are being implemented at the nursery. " This is very innovative and am sure these students will leave here very satisfied and jam-packed with practical knowledge which will help them as future environmentalists and agriculturalists".

Worthy to note that the Family Farm School is one of the several educational institutions that has visited Yodo Cameroon tree nursery since January this year. The Family Farm School, it is worth mentioning is an initiative of the Catholic Church that trains youth in agriculture, Livestock, Forestry and Agroforestry. After three years, students based in Nkambe sent to St. Ritas College where they register for general certificate of education in their various feilds.