By Vincent Emong
Farmers and residents in Kumi District have been urged to adopt afforestation and agroforestry practices as sustainable solutions to persistent waterlogging and the growing impacts of climate change that continue to threaten agricultural productivity and household livelihoods.
Moses Opio, the Head of the Natural Resources Department in Kumi District, made the call during an interview on environmental conservation, emphasizing that tree planting remains one of the most effective long-term strategies for restoring degraded land and regulating water flow in flood-prone areas.
According to Opio, sub-counties such as Ongino, Kumi, and Kanapa are the most affected by waterlogging, where excessive surface water has reduced crop yields, destroyed farmland, and undermined food security for many families.
He explained that trees act as natural water regulators by absorbing excess water, strengthening soil structure, and stabilizing fragile land.
“Trees play a critical role in combating global warming and promoting rainfall formation. They improve soil structure, regulate temperatures, and protect our environment,” Opio noted. “Expanding tree cover will help reclaim farmland and boost agricultural productivity.”
Beyond environmental protection, Opio highlighted the economic advantages of afforestation. With a large proportion of households in the district depending on firewood and other wood products for domestic energy, planting more trees can provide a sustainable source of fuel while easing pressure on natural forests.
He further encouraged farmers to integrate trees into their farms through agroforestry — a practice that combines crop cultivation with tree planting. Agroforestry, he said, enhances soil fertility, reduces erosion, provides shade, and improves overall farm yields, offering both environmental and financial benefits.
Opio appealed to local leaders and communities to take collective responsibility for environmental conservation, stressing that actions taken today will determine the well-being of future generations.
District authorities are expected to roll out sensitization campaigns in the coming months to promote tree-planting initiatives across affected areas as part of broader efforts to strengthen climate resilience.
Meanwhile, Phoebe Angida, the Assistant Resident District Commissioner for Kumi District, encouraged farmers to take advantage of the ongoing rains to cultivate both food and cash crops to combat household hunger and boost incomes.
She advised residents to grow crops such as cassava, potatoes, and green peas to enhance food security and improve living standards.
“With agriculture being the backbone of most households, farmers must fully embrace productive farming practices to sustain their families and strengthen the local economy,” she said.
As climate-related challenges intensify, leaders say embracing afforestation and climate-smart agriculture could provide a lasting solution to environmental degradation while securing livelihoods across Kumi District.
