Erosión y desertificación.-The mulberry plant (Morus alba), tool for combating desertification the experience of the sericulture promotion and development association (Ghana)

Abstract

ABSTRACT Desertification may be defined as the loss of fertility of the land in semi-arid and sub-humid regions of the world. Its causes are broadly categorized into natural and anthropogenic and includes soil erosion (wind, water), soil exploitation (nutrients depletion), salination (primary and secondary) and others including soil compaction, contamination, etc. Desertification is on-going in all parts of Ghana but it is quite extensive and more visible in the north, upper-east and upper-west regions of the country. This area is desert prone and is in the guinea savannah agro-ecological zone. It occupies about 40% of the total area of the country.The desert prone region otherwise termed as semi-arid Ghana is located between latitude eight degrees north and eleven degrees north of the equator. The mulberry believed to be a native of India or china is said to have originated on the lower slopes of the Himalayans. It is a perennial tree from the genus morus. It is a fast growing plant and it is suitable for afforestation of marginal zones and can be planted on slopes which are subject to water erosion and other meteorological factors and in soils poor in nutrients and water. The sericulture promotion and development association, Ghana was incorporated under the companies code of Ghana 1963 (act 179) to introduce, develop, and promote sericulture in the country. The members of the association rear silk worms on mulberry leaves to produce cocoons from which silk yarn is reeled or unwound for weaving into silk fabric. Because of the unique characteristics of the mulberry which make it a promising tree for desertification control, the association is planting it in the semi-arid areas to control desertification and also using it to reclaim lands degraded through mining activities.K�