Hand in Hand Zimbabwe on Tuesday partnered with the Forestry Commission to host a tree planting day commemoration under its Green Enterprise Project in Gwanda district, Ward 14’s Progressive garden.

The inaugural event, which ran under the theme “Fruit trees for food security and nutrition”, was well attended by staff from AGRITEX and Forestry Commission, government officials, local leaders, community members and school children, who were all represented through various presentations.

Through the Green Enterprise Projects, Hand in Hand Zimbabwe is capacitating entrepreneurs under its portfolio – particularly women and youth – to implement sustainable projects that seek to reduce the impact of climate change in communities. Tree planting is one of the interventions aims at reducing carbon emissions and improving livelihoods. The Green Enterprise Project’s interventions include vegetable production in agroforestry plots, establishment of fodder banks and tree nurseries, bee keeping, tree planting and rangeland management.

Deputy District Development Coordinator Judge Dube, who was guest of honour at the event, bemoaned effects of climate change and urged community members to plant fruit trees.

“Trees are very important and l urge you to plant fruit trees in order to eradicate hunger. The work Hand in Hand Zimbabwe is doing through the Green Enterprise Project is in line with the government’s effort to eradicate hunger through planting fruit trees and we commend it,” he said.

Government officials and community members in attendance took some time to tour and plant trees in the garden.

The garden, which is run by 45 members, has 1083 trees that include guavas, lemons, paw paws and mangoes among others. The members are selling the trees for $15 each.

Since the Green Enterprise Project’s s inception close to 12 months ago, the project has established three apiaries, five tree nurseries, and five nutritional gardens with a provision of fodder for cattle and goat fattening.

The project has also created 34 green enterprises that have in turn provided 490 green jobs since inception.