ORGANIZATION FOR THE REHABILITATION OF THE ENVIRONMENT

ORE's high value tree crop program is based on the simple premise that by providing the local farmers with commercial tree crops it is possible to promote both sustainable economic growth and long-term protection of the environment.

The major tree crops are mango, avocado, citrus and bamboo. We are also working with a variety of other interesting tree crops including fruits such as Malay apple, rambutan and passion fruit, macadamia nuts, and spices such as nutmeg and cinnamon.

Strategy for impact 
ORE has developed programs that go into rural areas and systematically help farmers to increase the number of commercially productive trees. In 1985 we introduced the first large scale fruit program using grafting, the simple technique whereby low quality fruit trees can be transformed into trees producing high value commercial crops. Since then we continued with programs promoting fruit trees, and were able to introduce most of the major commercial varieties of citrus, avocados and mangos into the country. Over the years nurseries have been established throughout the south of the country. Hundreds of private farmers and technicians working with local grassroots organizations have been trained in grafting. In total probably over half a million grafted trees have been produced, generating significant income for thousands of farmers.

Creating regional production of commercial fruit crops
In order to create a critical mass of productive trees in an area we typically try to identify fruits with a good market potential, introduce the necessary plant material and propagate trees in quantities large enough to produce commercial harvests. Nursery production of seedlings for distribution to farmers for planting, and the top-grafting of existing noncommercial fruit trees are the main production techniques. Nursery production makes it possible to produce large quantities of high quality grafted seedlings at a low cost. Top-grafting allows you to transform low quality fruit trees into trees that quickly produce commercial crops. Other techniques include tissue culture and minisetting used to mass multiply bananas and tuber crops.

Training programs are offered to teach a) propagation techniques: nursery production and grafting of fruit trees, and minisetting and cuttings of tuber crops; b) establishing and maintaining orchards; and c) postharvest and marketing skills: from picking to transportation and sales strategies.

The economic benefits of fruit trees based on annual crop values far exceed the revenue generated by traditional staple crops such as beans and corn. A mature mango trees, for instance, can produce from 1,500 to 8,000 fruits depending on their age earning up $100 every year.

Nutritional benefits result from extending the production seasons of popular fruit such as avocados, mango and citrus. In addition to the economic and environmental benefits, the proposed fruit crops supply essential nutritional benefits.

Grafting transforms low quality fruit trees into the best commercial varieties. Trees that earn money are rarely cut down to produce charcoal: they make more each year than their value as wood products. Grafted fruit trees help halt deforestation, they stabilize the environment and offer many nutritional benefits.