Mr. Vira says crops that grow on trees can help feed people living in andaround forests.
“It’s like an insurance policy. Having access to those tree-based foods ishugely important when you can’t buy food from other sources or when youcan’t produce food because your fields have failed.”
The growing of crops requires fields. Many fields are created by clearing, orremoving, trees. But Mr. Vira says properly managed fields and forests canexist together.
He says if you increase food production in the field, you cankeep the forest and trees. He says they are important for the products andservices they provide.
The report says that forest health and economic value improves when peoplewho live in or near forests are given greater control of them. For example, aproject in Ghana aims for proper management of forests and fields together.
The people involved hope to grow the Allanblackia plant. The oil from its seedcan be used in soap, beauty products and food.
Okai Michael Henchard leads the project. He says he will help people wholive nearby. He says they earn money and get trees on their land.
The treesprovide shade and improve air quality. Mr. Henchard says the project alsohelps fight climate change.