Kenya’s ongoing efforts to combat climate change and increase forest cover have garnered attention with recent calls for enhanced tree planting on private farms. As the country continues its national afforestation campaign, stakeholders emphasize the critical role of private landowners in achieving Kenya’s environmental goals. The Agriculture (Farm Forestry) Rules 2009, which urge farmers to maintain a minimum of 10 percent forest cover on their agricultural land, are at the forefront of this initiative. These rules are crucial for preserving the environment and mitigating the adverse effects of climate change.
Elijah Korir, the National Forest Programme Coordinator for the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), has underscored the importance of this endeavor. Speaking at the signing of the Participatory Forest Management Plan for the Loitoktok Community Forest Association, Korir highlighted the necessity of expanding tree planting efforts beyond public lands managed by the Kenya Forest Service (KFS). “Forests are getting full. Let us plant trees in our farms,” Korir stated, emphasizing that private farms offer a significant opportunity to boost the country’s green cover.
The draft Forest Policy 2020 also supports this view, acknowledging that Kenya cannot achieve the targeted 10 percent forest cover by focusing solely on gazetted forests on public land. The policy calls for incentive measures to encourage private and community landowners to establish forests on their lands. It points out that trees are an integral part of diversified farm production, contributing not only to subsistence needs but also to soil fertility, water conservation, and the economic well-being of rural populations.
Products derived from trees, such as fuelwood, fodder, and fruit, play a substantial role in supporting rural economies. The potential of tree-based products to enhance livelihoods while promoting environmental conservation makes the inclusion of private farms in afforestation efforts all the more critical.
Official statistics show a positive trend in Kenya’s forest cover, which increased from 5.9 percent in 2018 to 8.83 percent in 2021. The national tree cover, currently standing at 12.13 percent, exceeds the constitutional target of 10 percent. However, as Kenya’s Environment Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale points out, the ongoing restoration efforts must involve all Kenyans. “Community participation is equally critical. I encourage each of you to actively participate in tree planting and environmental conservation. Together, we can achieve remarkable results,” Duale said during the celebration of India’s 78th Independence Day.
To further support these efforts, the Kenyan government has initiated programs to distribute fruit tree seedlings to farmers. This initiative is not only aimed at enhancing tree cover but also at improving health outcomes and livelihoods within communities. Some counties, such as Elgeyo Marakwet, have already embraced the idea, distributing mango and avocado seedlings to farmers.
The Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI) is also playing a pivotal role in this campaign by enhancing its seedling production capacity. According to KEFRI’s acting CEO, Dr. Jane Njuguna, the country needs to plant at least 20 billion trees to ensure that 15 billion survive, acknowledging that not all seedlings will thrive. “Growing means you have to plant beyond the 15 billion trees to allow for the death of some of them. We have to plant about 20 billion or so for 15 billion to survive,” she explained.
The state has set an ambitious target to plant not less than 1.5 billion trees annually over the next decade to reach the goal of 15 billion trees. This massive afforestation effort, combined with the active participation of private landowners and communities, is essential for Kenya to meet its environmental targets and ensure a sustainable future for its people.
In conclusion, promoting tree planting on private farms is not just an environmental necessity but a strategic move to bolster Kenya’s green cover. The collaboration between the government, private landowners, and communities will be instrumental in achieving the country’s ambitious afforestation goals and combating climate change.
