No fewer than 872 rural women in Cross River State, especially those in and around the Cross River National Park, have been trained on how to plant improved high yielding Ogbono seedlings (bush mango), how to harvest, preserve and market them.
These were done within a four year period by the Wildlife Conservation Society under European Union project for the preservation of forest ecosystems in the state as a way of discouraging them from tampering with other forest resources.
This was disclosed by the director of the Cross River Landscape in the WCS, Mr Anthony Atah, when the NGO held a 1-day event in Calabar, Cross River State, where they reeled out activities to support preservation and protection of the CRNP.
He said they were able to distribute over 10,000 bush mango seedlings to the women who also planted same in the different communities which are part of the park, including Mbe Mountains and AFI Wildlife Sanctuary, as well as Obudu Plateau.
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According to him, during the period they created some cooperatives and constructed some stores for the women to preserve their harvests pending period for sales.
He added that they were able to arrange honest bulk buyers who helped to evacuate the harvests at favourable prices to the women.
“We were able to construct stores for the bush mango women’s cooperatives. We deliberately supported the cooperatives to have increased access to markets,” he said.
One of the women beneficiaries, Madam Helena Agbor, testified during the event that she was able to expand her ogbono farm in Boki LGA of the state with the number of seedlings she received.
“From the proceeds of ogbono sale, I have trained my children in schools. I have encouraged other women to plant it and to also join our cooperative.”
