Community Forest Tree Planting Program

Description

This project will provide fruit tree saplings for 208 households in a rural community located in mountainous foothills. The grant supports the costs of saplings, transportation, and trainings for members of a local Community Forest User Group. These members rely on nearby forest areas for livestock care and household needs, and the added trees and trainings would strengthen their ability to care for existing trees and soil while offering an additional food source with potential small‑scale marketing opportunities.

The region’s economy is largely based on farming, and this support would help subsistence households produce fruits for their own consumption, enhancing the variety of foods available with the option to sell limited quantities in local markets. Any income earned from these activities would be managed directly by individual farmers. The new plantings would contribute to household food security, temperature moderation, and reduced erosion, while also adding natural beauty and decreasing reliance on imported fruit.

The area is well suited for growing fruits such as mango, lychee, papaya, guava, banana, and pear, yet high costs for saplings and transport often discourage planting. This grant removes those barriers. The community has a long-standing commitment to caring for its natural surroundings, and households are eager to add more trees to their land and enjoy the benefits for years to come.