A monitoring visit was conducted at the 19.5-hectare Modified Taungya System (MTS) site in Compartment 3 of the Dome River Forest Reserve at Bomerisu under the project “Partnerships for Forest Protection in a Changing Climate” funded by GowerStreet.

Together with nine dedicated farmers (3 women and 6 men), the team assessed the growth and performance of trees planted as part of ongoing forest restoration efforts. The site is home to a mixture of valuable timber and indigenous tree species, including Teak (Tectona grandis) and Emire (Terminalia ivorensis), among other species selected to support the restoration of the forest reserve.

The monitoring exercise revealed encouraging progress. Many of the planted trees are well established, healthy, and growing vigorously, with some already reaching impressive heights. The strong performance observed is a testament to the commitment of participating farmers and the effectiveness of the maintenance practices they have adopted.

Beyond restoring degraded forest landscapes, the Modified Taungya System continues to provide important benefits for participating households. Through the MTS arrangement, farmers are able to cultivate food crops between the tree rows during the early years of plantation establishment. This approach helps ensure household food security and income generation while contributing to long-term forest restoration goals.  By integrating food production with tree planting, communities are able to meet their immediate livelihood needs while investing in the future health of the forest.

During the visit, farmers shared their experiences and lessons learned, while RAIN provided technical guidance on continued maintenance and tree management.  Regular monitoring remains an important component of ensuring successful restoration outcomes and supporting farmers throughout the process.

The positive growth observed at Dome River Forest Reserve highlights the potential of community-led forest restoration initiatives to simultaneously enhance ecosystem recovery, strengthen livelihoods, and promote sustainable forest management.