Meetings Industry Meeting Needs (MIMN) has funded the planting of more than 11,000 trees to provide sustainable income for 10 project communities in Mali.

The trees – including saba senegalensis, tamarind, shea trees and balanites - will provide fruit and nuts that can be processed into syrups, butter and soap for sale in local markets. The trees, costing £4,000, will be planted in partnership with registered charity Tree Aid and will be managed and used by 516 beneficiaries, of which 453 are female entrepreneurs. Tree Aid has been set up to alleviate poverty in the drylands of Africa by the planting and management of trees and the crops they provide.

MIMN executive committee member David Hackett said: “We have worked with Tree Aid before. They do admirable work in providing truly sustainable aid for those in poverty as well as enhancing the local environment.”