Plant native trees, experts now urge

At a time when Kenya, like many other parts of the globe, is grappling with climate change and its effects, calls to plant trees in large numbers have been rampant. However, experts have called for a keen focus not just on planting trees but also on minding the specific species planted in particular areas.

While tree planting by itself is important, ensuring that the right trees are planted in specific areas where they can survive and thrive is even more vital. “Trees that are native to a particular region should be encouraged because they are adaptive to the climatic conditions of these areas,” says Mr. Francis Oduor, the national lead of the My Farm Trees project at The Alliance of Bioversity and International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT).

In a bid to increase tree cover in the country and restore lost biodiversity, the Alliance of Bioversity and CIAT, in partnership with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and with financial support from the Global Environment Facility (GEF), launched the My Farm Trees project in 2022. Implemented in Siaya, Turkana, and Laikipia counties, the project is also active in Cameroon.

The project focuses on supporting landscape restoration by planting indigenous trees that are native to specific areas to enhance genetic diversity. Towards this, My Farm Trees is working with the Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI) to onboard and provide technical assistance to local tree nurseries in the three landscapes. This support includes training in the production of quality planting materials, starting from the collection of the most appropriate and diverse seeds.

.

Keep Reading

• Scientists and farmers harness resilience of sorghum
• Youth lead charge for sustainable agriculture
• Farmers diversify to sorghum to fight climate change effects
• Saving 'Mukombero' herb

“Since establishing my tree nursery in 2016, I have been trying to urge local farmers to plant trees, but the uptake has been rather slow, especially among young farmers,” says Lawrence Ogoda, a tree nursery operator. He is among those registered under the MyGeo Tree and MyGeo Nursery Apps, which help in collecting data and tracking progress on seed collection, propagation, and development at the nurseries. “I have been trained in seed collection, raising seedlings, and record keeping, thanks to the My Farm Trees project,” Ogoda adds. 

Until she heard about the My Farm Trees project, Caroline Awuor had not given much attention to tree growing. She was among the first batch of beneficiaries registered under the project, receiving 110 seedlings of various species from the distribution center at the Stoo Pamba Chief's Office in her village, Ugenya.

Notably, 104 of these seedlings have successfully survived and are thriving, she proudly states. “Most of them are fruit trees like mangoes, avocados, and jackfruit, while there are also some timber trees,” she says.

With support from her family, especially her husband, she is committed to taking care of the trees, especially in anticipation of the incentives. She has fenced around almost all trees to ensure minimal destruction by livestock, demonstrating her commitment and passion towards this noble cause. In preparation for the next batch of seedling distribution, Caroline and her husband have designated an additional section of their land, strategically located near the River Nzoia, where they plan to plant 1,000 more seedlings.

Joshua Schneck, the GEF and Green Climate Fund (GCF) Portfolio Manager for Global Programs at IUCN, describes My Farm Trees as an innovative project driven toward sustainable transformation. The project is supported by GEF, while IUCN has been instrumental from its design to ongoing implementation. The use of local seedlings, he adds, ensures high chances of survival as the seedlings are already adapted to the local climate.