Restoring Land Through Tree Planting

Saidi, a 56-year-old farmer from Tulo village, is embracing tree planting as a way to restore his land and improve the environment. With the support of APOPO’s tree planting project, he is transforming his farm to combat soil erosion, enhance biodiversity, and create a sustainable future for his family.

“I have been farming for many years while raising my seven children and three grandchildren. My first wife had three children, and my second wife, whom I live with now, has four. We rely on our farms for our livelihood.

I own five farms, and one of them, located on a steep slope in the mountains, is now dedicated to tree planting. So far, I have planted 470 trees of different species, hoping to turn my farm into a thriving forest. I missed the first phase of this project, but when it returned to our village, I was eager to join after seeing how my neighbor, Mzee Athumani Nassoro, benefited from it. I was among the first to sign up when the second phase began.

Before this project, I used to grow carrots and maize in my fields. However, my land suffered from soil erosion due to its steep slopes, and I had to rely on terrace farming to reduce the damage. Since planting trees, I have noticed improvements—trees will help stabilize the soil, prevent further erosion, and even restore water sources that have been drying up due to climate change.

I also understand the broader impact of trees. They absorb carbon dioxide, improve air quality, and in the future, they will provide firewood and other resources for my family. I have seen firsthand how climate change has affected our village—temperatures have risen, mosquitoes are more common, and rivers no longer flow as they used to. I believe tree planting will help restore the climate to what it once was.

This project is an incredible opportunity for small-scale farmers like me. Getting support and resources is often a challenge, but thanks to APOPO, we have received seedlings and agricultural support to help us establish tree farms. I am grateful for this support and look forward to seeing my farm flourish into a green, sustainable space for future generations.”

Help protect nature and empower communities. Support the HeroTREEs project!