ASALs will deliver 5.2 million hectares of the 10.6 million hectares envisaged in the 15 billion trees campaign. In addition, Agroforestry on farms will account for 3 million hectares. This translates to 83.6% of the total area that will be grown with trees by 2032. It is for this reasons that a strategy workshop targeting nine (9) arid counties has been meeting this week in Kitui, KEFRI Resource Center. The Chief Conservator of Forests Mr Alex Lemarkoko joined the team to understand the salient issues facing ASAL counties. The team agreed on flagship activities per county to enhance knowledge on dryland forestry technologies and methods and a prioritized action plan was drafted. Examples from other African countries were also reviewed.
Comprehensive interventions and flagship plans were drafted and among the activities the team agreed to engage Forest Rangers in tree growing activities.
The CCF noted the future of Forestry is in the drylands but this has remained a mirage because of the external environment that has not been supportive in the past. However there has been a drastic shift with the current Government whereby His Excellency the President Hon Dr William Ruto has demonstrated immense support to the Forestry sector. Hence there is need to reciprocate by demonstrating KFS is making progress and catalyzing development of local communities in order to spur tree growing. The CCF urged the CFCs to “Address people’s needs through Forestry.. publicize success stories.. increase awareness and education among communities and leverage on technology.”
Pastoralism remains a challenge as well as an opportunity to enhance tree growing. “Be practical, pragmatic issues- based by thinking of the needs of the people for example fruit trees grown now will require cottage industries in future,” he said.
Kitui County the host of the workshop has approximately 37,500 hectares of gazetted forests out of which 95% are natural forests. There are five forest stations in the county namely Kitui, Mutitu, Mutomo, Muumoni and Nuu forests. SFS -CORRECC project funded by JICA is working with farmers in the County to enhance agro forestry.
The meeting was attended by Deputy CCF Drylands Dr Clement Ngoriareng, National Tree Growing Project Manager Noor Hussein, Ag Regional Forest Conservator Ms Ambia Osman and other County Forest Coordinators.
