The acting Chief Conservator of Forests Alex Lemarkoko has encouraged the residents of Kisii to unlock their potential by planting fruit trees and raising fruit tree seedlings in order to contribute to the government’s agenda of attaining 30 percent tree cover by 2032 while supporting food security.
Speaking during the launch of the national strategy towards the attainment of 30 percent tree cover by 2032 at Nyangweta forest in Etago Sub County, Mr Lemarkoko said Kisii has a massive capacity of producing fruit seedlings due to its comparative advantages such as adequate rainfall, fertile soil, and manpower to raise the seedlings.
“Fruit trees are going to be a critical agenda for us because we are required to have at least 30 percent of what we produce as fruit trees and this county is capable of producing the fruit trees that we require nationally,” he said.
The acting Chief Conservator noted they will be working with Community Forest Associations (CFAs) in the communities to show them the possibilities of increasing their productivity on the tree nursery side and enhancing the species composition, particularly the giant bamboo which grows well in the region.
Lemarkoko lauded the county for being at the forefront in the protection of forests and urged the various stakeholders such as schools, NGOs, and NGAOs to partner with Kenya Forest Service and plant more trees in order to attain the target trees cover.
He encouraged the Kisii county government to be at the frontline in forest conservation within the county.
“We need you to now take up the roles of the 21 devolved functions and have your own foresters that have been trained by the Kenya Forest Service so that you can be at the forefront in elevating the tree cover in your county,” added Lemarkoko.
On her part, Vicky Green Farm CEO, Vicky Onderi lauded the national strategy of achieving the 30 percent tree cover by 2032 saying that it will support economic empowerment in Kisii County by creating jobs for women and youth.
The Green Zones Development Support Project Manager, Mr Jerome Mwanzia noted they had supported the Nyangweta CFA through two income-generating activities, that is, dairy farming and beekeeping in order to boost the farmers’ income.
Mr Mwanzia promised to continue working with the association and supporting them through training and exchange visits to bridge the gap that was left by retired Forest Extension officers in the counties.
The Green Zones Development Support Project- Phase II is a 6-year project (2018-2024) that comprises three main components including forest conservation and livelihood support, sustainable and inclusive value chain development, and project management and coordination.
Kisii County is among the 15 implementing counties of the project which cover four forest conservancies and three of Kenya’s water towers including Mt Kenya, Aberdares, and the Mau complex.
By Mercy Osongo and Jefferson Volka
