Circle of Goodness Part 2: Agroforestry with our bamboo
You might be happy to know that our mission goes far beyond just producing eco-friendly toilet paper. As a matter of fact, we're dedicated to creating meaningful change - not just for ourselves, but for society and the environment. In our previous Circle Of Goodness blog, we introduced you to part one, which begins with empowering our farmers. Today, we delve into part two: the agricultural aspect of the Circle Of Goodness. Together with our partner INBAR we are working on developing effective bamboo agroforestry methods, creating workshops to pass knowledge and resources to certified farmers, and establishing a bamboo nursery.
Bamboo Farming in the Eastern Region
In the lush landscape of the Eastern Region in Ghana, many farmers have witnessed hundreds of bamboo culms growing on their lands for decades. Unfortunately, these precious resources are either burned down to make room for more traditional crops like maize, cassava and cocoa, or are just left untouched, unmanaged, and untapped. The latter is often the case because farmers are simply not aware of the economical benefits of growing and selling bamboo. This is mainly because there was never a huge demand for it - until now!
The solution: introducing ‘bamboo agroforestry’
This is where bamboo agroforestry enters the chat. In a broader sense, bamboo agroforestry is a sustainable farming system that combines the cultivation of bamboo with other crops and trees. It is a farming system that aims to create a diverse and multi-layered ecosystem where bamboo, trees and other agricultural crops coexist and support each other. Our ongoing research with INBAR aims to demonstrate the positive effects of bamboo agroforestry, such as increased soil fertility, improved water management and enhanced biodiversity on farmers’ land - but that's not even everything! By introducing this method of farming, we are able to empower farmers to maximize the unique and positive properties of bamboo, which will in turn lead to an opportunity to diversify farmers’ income sources whilst simultaneously contributing to a more sustainable future.
Sustainable Sourcing Strategies
At the moment, we prioritize using existing bamboo resources and ensure that bamboo is harvested in a way that promotes regrowth. As mentioned in our previous blogs, there is a surplus of bamboo in Ghana, however - we like to think ahead when striving to maximize impact. By creating workshops to educate both old and new generations of farmers, we are able to pass on the knowledge of sustainable farming methods. This way, no matter what innovations we pursue in our sourcing strategy, one thing will always remain: our farmers will have all the knowledge and tools to implement these sustainable farming practices.
As briefly mentioned, we're also working towards establishing our bamboo nursery and plantation in collaboration with government bodies. This long-term vision not only ensures a consistent supply of bamboo but also addresses youth unemployment and promotes sustainable farming practices.
Bamboo Nursery and Agroforestry
Our second sourcing strategy involves establishing our bamboo nursery. Planting bamboo is central to our mission as it adds significant value to agroforestry. Bamboo's rapid growth means it can reach maturity within just a few years, allowing farmers to quickly generate returns.
The deep root system of bamboo not only helps with soil conservation but also prevents erosion, safeguarding the land. Bamboo's unique structure maximizes sunlight utilization, increasing the yield of other crops. Acting as a natural windbreaker and shade provider, bamboo regulates the microclimate, protecting crops from extreme weather conditions. By providing young farmers with seedlings to start their own bamboo plantation, we will be able to tackle youth unemployment.
Furthermore, we aim to ensure that farmers use a maximum of 20% of their land for bamboo cultivation. This approach ensures that they do not become solely dependent on income from bamboo, but also derive income from other crops, promoting diversified and sustainable livelihoods.
In conclusion, our journey continues to empower Ghanaian smallholder farmers through bamboo agroforestry. Together, we strive to make a lasting and meaningful impact on their lives, the environment, and society at large.
Want to know more about our Circle Of Goodness? Read our previous article here!
Crowdfunding
We invite you to become a crucial part of this radical change in the supply chain. By investing in our crowdfunding campaign, you're not just supporting the road towards the first Fair Trade toilet paper brand; you're becoming a champion for Ghanaian farmers, sustainable agriculture, and community development. Together, we can turn a simple daily ritual into a powerful force for positive change. Join us on this exciting journey towards a more ethical and eco-friendly future. Let's roll towards a brighter tomorrow, one roll at a time.
