Carbon sequestration: Gic Agrofoba on the first line

Within the framework of the promotion of the practical activities on carbon sequestration and the income generation, CIPCRE organized, from 8 to 9 August 2007 at the office of the GIC AGROFABA of Bangang in Bamboutos a training on the technique of layering for the benefit of 15 persons among whom were 10 women. Introductory brainstorming on the importance of the layering revealed a certain number of advantages presented by this technique: 1. The production of off-season; 2. The valuation of the propagator of the CIG installed in 2005; 3. The production of trees which occupy less space in fields. If it is true that this technique will come to resolve a certain number of problems, the fact remains that it is delicate: because of its small size, a layer cannot serve as shade for the other plants; plants products have no pivoting root; The transportation of the rooted layers demands many precautions; the rate of survival after implanting and weaning is variable according to the species. The presentation of layering material to the participants is as follows: 1. Two 5-liter buckets, which have to serve to forward the substratum and all the necessary material in the tree; 2. A rope for the lifting of the bucket until the level of the technician in the tree;

3. Decomposed sawdust which will serve for covering the part of the branch which was peeled;

 4. A transparent plastic of 40 cm x 30 cm which is going to contain the substratum. This plastic must be transparent to allow the passage of light, which will be a stimulus for the implanting and will allow controlling the implanting and the evolution of the colour of roots;
5. A sharp knife to cut and peel part of the laying branch in;
6. A sling to attach the plastic and maintain the substratum on the peeled part;
 7. An insecticide against ants and other insects susceptible to damage during the installation of the layer or to destroy layers;
 8. According to the conditions and characteristics of the tree, hormones can be envisaged.

A theoretical abseiling on the choice criteria of the tree in laying, the choice of the period of layering, the branch to lie and the installation itself, was made. A board picture on the techniques of taming applicable to some species of local trees was commented and put back in participating. It appears as follows:

The practical works took place on August 9th, 2007. They consisted of the preparation of the material, notably how to moisten the substratum without dipping it and preparing the sling. Afterward, participants were organized in three groups, each headed by a facilitator. Each group had as task of preparing the substratum, and all the material which the group will need for the installation of layers. The groups withdrew to the feet of fruit trees where a volunteer climbed up the tree to begin the installation of layers.
In terms of results, eighteen (18) layers were put. Thirty (30) specification sheets on the layering were brought in support to the GIC agrofoba of Bangang. In the term of their perfection, participants elaborated an action plan which appears as follows: