For several months, young caïcedrat trees (Khaya senegalensis) have been cultivated on the grounds of the CAAS agricultural center. On August 12, the time had come: 84 of the young trees were planted in Kalassa.
The seedlings were transported by motorized tricycle from the agricultural center to the school grounds in Kalassa. The young women of CAAS’s tenth vocational training course were already waiting there. Scouts and employees of the forestry service also joined in the tree-planting campaign.
August is observed as Environment Month in Mali. The Prefect of the newly established Cercle of Siby also took part in the event and, together with the Mayor of Siby, planted the first tree. The planting then continued with everyone working together. The CAAS trainees participated with great enthusiasm.
For the time being, all the trees were planted outside the school grounds. Planting in the schoolyard itself will continue once the current construction work has been completed.
The caïcedrat (Khaya senegalensis), also known as African mahogany or Senegal mahogany, is native to West Africa and well adapted to the local climate. These hardy trees can withstand periods of drought and, over time, develop large, dense crowns, making them particularly valuable as shade trees.
The campaign brings together several areas of CAAS’s work: the trees are cultivated at its own agricultural center, the trainees participate in planting them, and in the long term, they will help make Kalassa greener and provide more shade.
