(TAP) – At the initiative of the association “Dream in Tunisia” and in collaboration with civil society, some 1,800 trees were planted on Saturday in Rjim Maatoug, in the desert of Tunisia located 120 km from the city centre of the governorate of Kebili.
The initiative provides for the creation of a green barrier that includesd 1,800 acacias, eucalyptus, cypress around the maternity ward and the school of Rjim Maatoug and the dispensaries of Matrouha and Ferdaous.
The project of “Dream in Tunisia” aims to create a forest within the desert and protect the some 5,000 locals in Rjim Maatoug from desertification, Sarra Toumi president of the “Dream in Tunisia” association told media.
This unique experience, which has an ecological dimension, is part of the framework agreement between the association and the Directorate-General of Forests for the planting of one million trees in Tunisia before the end of 2019 as part of the “1 Million Trees4Tunisia” campaign, added the same source.
So far, 500,000 trees have been planted in 14 governorates, she said.
In fact Acacias for All is founded by visionary changemaker Sarah Toumi, who have launched an innovative programme called “1 Million Trees for Tunisia” which is helping female farmers to face the challenges of climate change.
The programme provides local women farmers with training in sustainable farming (irrigation with solar pumps, permaculture, composting) and the plantation of trees and plants that are adapted to the arid environment (such as acacia and moringa trees, which require less water, can tolerate salt water, and help revitalize the soil).
The sustainable agriculture techniques and plantation of adapted trees and plants are helping to create a “green belt” in the region.
The programme is helping to combat desertification and alleviate climate change, while also reducing poverty in rural areas by helping women farmers to generate revenues through sustainable farms.
