Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology targets to promote the planting of tamarind trees in all 21 hilltops in Siaya county.
According to lead research fellow Dr Joseph Odhiambo, the university has earmarked the planting of tamarind trees to mitigate climate change and also because of their high medicinal value.
Dr. Odhiambo stated that the university is engaged in initiatives to support the county government of Siaya among them the growing of tamarind trees on the hilltops in a bid to boost the forest cover in the region which is currently below 2%.
“Once grown, the tamarind trees will last for the next 75 years, which will guarantee forest cover and mitigate climate change,” said Dr Odhiambo.
He added that five years after the planting of the tamarinds, they will bear fruits that have medicinal value and are used for diabetes and cancer treatments.
The research fellow observed that only three out of the 21 hilltops in the region are gazetted and therefore asked the county and national governments to work hand in hand to ensure the remaining hilltops are gazetted in time before the commencement project early next year.
“The gazettment of the hilltops is necessary to ensure protection of the planted tree by providing fencing to avert encroachment into the conservation areas,” Odhiambo stated.
The project proposed by the university will be funded by USAID and the government of France to a tune of 2 million euros (Sh289 million).
By Brian Ondeng’
