The Kenya National Farmers’ Federation (Kenaff) has called for increased involvement of farmers in tree planting to achieve the government’s ambitious plan to plant 15 billion trees.
Kenaff, which is a membership organisation, is also mobilising farmers to plant 10 billion trees by 2032.
Speaking during a tree planting drive at Tamani hill in Mutuati, Meru County, Kenaff CEO Mwenda M’Mailutha said farmers are the worst hit by the climate crisis.
“Unless farmers are engaged and shown the importance of growing trees, the ambitious plan cannot be achieved. With farmers understanding the economic and environmental benefits, we can surpass the 15 billion target,” Dr M’Mailutha said.
He added, “We estimate that there are 11 million farmers in Kenya. If each plants 100 trees in a year, the 15 billion trees target is achievable.”
Dr M’Mailutha said farmers should be encouraged to take part in local climate action.
“We are working with farmers to restore various degraded sites in the country. Besides planting trees in their farms, farmers need to protect their public spaces,” Dr M’Mailutha said.
He said Kenaff is currently restoring 72 sites across the country.
Dr M’Mailutha said the organisation has so far spearheaded the planting of 24 million trees as part of its 10-year goal.
“We are encouraging farmer driven climate action to build resilience. We are working towards rehabilitating Tamani hill so as to address erosion. Tamani is also a major source of water for the Mutuati region. We believe in five years, the hill will be covered by trees,” he says.
The Kenaff CEO further said the organization was supporting the initiative through setting up tree nurseries.
“We are working with various partners to set up model tree nurseries of up to five acres to increase access to seedlings,” he said.
Kenaff is promoting the model of tree planting that comprises 50 percent indigenous trees, 30 percent fruits and fodder and 20 percent fast maturing species.
“Our rallying call is to have the right tree at the right place for the right reason,” the Kenaff CEO said.
Kenaff national chairman Kaburu M’Ribu said motivating farmers to embrace tree growing will go a long way in achieving the national tree cover targets.
