As part of its ongoing pilot mulching program, the USAID- funded Supporting Activities that Value the Environment (SAVE) project organized a mulching working group session in Lefka

As part of its ongoing pilot mulching program, the USAID-funded Supporting Activities that Value the Environment (SAVE) project organized a mulching working group session in Lefka on March 31. The purpose of the session was to bring together local stakeholders to share knowledge about mulching in general as well as to analyze the results of SAVE’s pilot mulching program. The highly interactive discussion confirmed interest and enthusiasm for mulching and resulted in a plan to better communicate the benefits of mulching to the general public which remains unaware of the benefits of turning orchard prunings into wood chips. The pilot program has proven that mulching is an effective and economical alternative to burning and dumping. That said, training and information is needed to remedy “user error” in the application of mulch, to improve the skills of those using the wood chipper that is processing the prunings, and to clarify a lot of misperceptions about the mulching process.  

Orchards and gardens produce a large quantity of debris and waste that needs to be disposed of on a regular basis. Mulching is an effective way to recycle this material and is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to improve gardens. It returns nutrients to the soil, conserves water, prevents weed growth and soil erosion and alleviates pressure on landfills. Mulching also offers an alternative to burning the cuttings and dead trees—a practice that can, among other things, damage the soil.

SAVE works to build local capacity to better protect and manage Cyprus’ valuable natural and cultural resources. It combines work on environmental protection with cultural heritage conservation, preservation, and restoration. Like all U.S.-funded programs in Cyprus, SAVE is aimed at improving the conditions that will foster a durable Cyprus settlement.