The campaign to sustain 15 billion tree planting is bearing fruits, with the communities living near forests in Kiambu county supporting it.
In Kinale forest, the Community Forest Association has planted seedbeds in the forest and others at their homes.
A member of the CFA Njinu Warwathe said the Kenya Forest Service has allocated them a three quarter hectares piece of land where they have developed seedbeds.
He reveals that those seedbeds produces between 800,000 up to 1.2 million seedlings of both indigenous and exotic trees in a year.
“Since we feel we need to support tree planting activities, we agreed that all our members should have several seedbeds at home, and nearly all of us have them” he said.
Njinu also appeals to the members of the public who are not CFA members to also develop seedbeds, revealing that seedlings are being bought.
“So many people come to our places looking for seedlings. We have planted so many species of indigenous and exotic trees. We sell them a lot, in fact, they have created job opportunities for many of our people” he said.
Owing to the conducive environment and fertile soil in the area, the National Youth Service has partnered with KFS to develop seedbeds which are aimed at producing 8 million seedlings in a year.
Kinale Forest Station Manager Robert Ngotho said development of the project has been fast tracked with the drilling of a borehole so as to sustain water for growing of the the seedlings.
Ngotho also said the KFS and NYS project is aimed to have 7 camps, with each camp producing 2 million seedling in a year, meaning that they project will be producing 14 million seedlings in a year.
“This is a project that is armed at sustaining production of adequate and high quality seedlings to support afforestation and ecosystem restoration. It a project that will an impact in our forests and more to our environment” the forester said.
During his inspection to assess progress at the site last week, the Chief Conservator of Forests (CCF) Alex Lemarkoko commended the ongoing expansion works, noting that the nursery is projected to ensure adequate supply of seedlings annually once fully operational.
The CCF also noted the drilling of a borehole, “Water supply is essential for sustainable large-scale nursery operations”.
Lemarkoko also appreciated the construction of accommodation units for National Youth Service (NYS) personnel, who will provide labour support for nursery management and productivity.
He was accompanied by Kiambu county forest conservator Adrew Matindi and other KFS officers.
However, Ngotho lauded the local CFA members for being cooperative and ready to learn about environmental conservation.
The Forester also urged the CFA members to remain united and maintain their strategy of team work, adding that they will succeed.
Another member of the CFA David Chui said they have vowed to support the president William Ruto’s directive of planting 15 billion trees by 2030, saying if all stakeholders support KFS, the country can achieve more that the target.
He applauded the government for allowing them to also benefit from the forests by allowing them to cultivate food crops through the Plantation Establishment and Livelihood Systems (Pelis), so as to fight hunger and ensure communities livelihoods are supported.
“Under the Pelis, the KFS allocates to us plots of lands. As we cultivate for our food crops, we also do the same to trees planted” he said.
“Once a seedling dries up in someone’s plot, it is the duty of the plots owner to plant another one, so as to sustain the trees planted and register in the ‘Jaza Miti app” he said.
Jaza Miti app, is an application that can be accessed by a computer or a mobile phone and is used by the KFS and other government arms to register all seedlings planted in the whole country so as to follow up on the progress tree planted.
