Tree nursery attendants in Murang’a County are calling on the government to fully engage them in the national tree planting programme, offering incentives to help propagate more seedlings. These attendants emphasize that their involvement is crucial for the success of the county’s ambitious target to plant over 10 million seedlings within five years as part of climate change mitigation efforts.
Speaking to the Kenya News Agency (KNA), the attendants noted the increased costs of seedlings as a significant barrier to widespread tree planting among residents. Currently, most seedlings are priced above Sh50 each, a cost that deters many locals from making purchases. The high prices are attributed to the rising costs of materials like polythene papers, which have doubled from Sh10 to Sh20 per piece.
Peter Maina, a tree nursery attendant, explained the challenges, saying, “We used to purchase polythene papers to plant seedlings at Sh10 per piece but currently, the amount has gone up to more than Sh20. Those coming to buy our seedlings are few and we call upon the government through the Ministry of Environment to buy seedlings from us and distribute them to residents to plant.”
With the onset of long rains approaching, attendant Jane Mwangi highlighted the importance of ensuring locals have adequate seedlings for planting. She pointed out that the government primarily relies on tree nurseries owned by the Kenya Forest Service, which may not suffice for nationwide distribution. “Here in Murang’a, we have a number of tree nursery attendants and also some groups have ventured into propagating seedlings. We hope the government will consider us and purchase the seedlings we have to support the programme of tree planting,” Mwangi said.
Mwangi also suggested that government support in providing manure and water for the seedlings could reduce costs and encourage more people to participate in the tree planting initiative. Currently, seedlings of common tree varieties in Murang’a sell for no less than Sh100 each, a price many find prohibitive.
Grace Wambui, another tree nursery attendant, echoed the concerns about high costs affecting sales and profits, appealing for government intervention. She also urged the county government to assist by providing piped water to help nurture the nurseries, noting that current water sources from local streams are insufficient, especially during dry seasons. “With various water projects being implemented by the county government of Murang’a, they can also consider providing untreated water to help in growing the seedlings. The water can be tapped at upstream and be distributed to areas where the nurseries are located,” Wambui remarked.
The attendants’ call for support highlights the critical role of local tree nurseries in achieving the county’s environmental goals and underscores the need for coordinated efforts to address challenges in the tree planting supply chain.
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