Vice- Chairman KEFGA at KBC's Good Morning Show

Retired general on campaign to promote commercial tree farming in Kenya- Story by African Confidential Magazine

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Kenya to promote commercial forestry in counties- Xinhua Report

NAIROBI (Xinhua) -- Kenya said Tuesday it has fine-tuned the legal and policy framework to promote commercial tree planting in the East African nation’s 47 counties, senior officials said on Tuesday. Conservation Secretary in the Ministry of Environment Gideon Gathara revealed that the government will soon roll out a raft of incentives to expand commercial tree plantations in the country. “We are in the process of realigning the forestry act of 2005 to incorporate commercial forestry. The government recognizes the role of commercial tree plantations in catalyzing a low carbon transition,” said Gathara He spoke at a workshop for commercial forest growers held in Nairobi to advocate for institutionalization of entrepreneurship in the forestry sector. Kenya’s forestry sector contributes 3.6 percent to the GDP and has been identified by the vision 2030 as critical to sustainable development in the country. Gathara noted that Kenya has not fully exploited its forest resources due to policy and regulatory hurdles, inadequate technology and funding. The government has prioritized several incentives to encourage investments in commercial forestry. Gathara disclosed that the government will establish a trust fund to enable land-owners access capital to expand tree cover in their farms. “We have mooted an insurance scheme to secure investments in forestry while capacity building for small scale farmers intending to venture in commercial tree planting is on the cards,” said Gathara. Commercial tree planting will enable Kenya to achieve the United Nations benchmark of 10 percent forest cover. Chairman of the Kenya Forest Growers Association Humphrey Njoroge stressed that commercial tree planting has created wealth and job opportunities for youth and women. There are an estimated 16,000 private tree growers in Kenya who have added 17,000 hectares of forest cover across the country. Njoroge revealed that commercial tree plantations have created 30, 000 new jobs in rural areas.

Report Courtesy of Coastweek

Commercial tree farming on the increase in Kenya- Story by CNBC Africa

Government Promises To Included Commercial Forestry in Forest Bill During National Stakeholders Workshop.

Participants during the Stakeholder's Workshop at The Boma on 28th January, 2014 

Mr. Gideon Gathara during his speech at the Workshop

Participants drawn from all over the country listening to presentations. 

Ebby Chagala - KEFRI , James Forster- Gatsby Foundation, Hon. Sammy Weya-KEFGA, Gideon Gathara- Ministry of Environment, Water and Natural Resources, Joe Kibe- Tree Biotechnology Programme Trust and Gen. (Rtd.) H. Njoroge- KEFRI during the official opening of the commercial forestry stakeholder's workshop. 

Benson Kanyi making his remarks as host and convenor.  

Participants at The Boma Hotel in Nairobi 

Hon. Weya making a presentation. 

A Press Conference was also organised on the sidelines of the workshop to appraise the media on the issues discussed. 

The guest of honour at the high table with other officials. 

Conservation Secretary, Mr. Gideon Gathara has promised independent private forest owners in Kenya that their interests will be taken into consideration during the final drafting of the proposed National Forestry (Conservation & Management) Bill, 2013. 

He made the remarks during the forum that was organised under the aegis of Kenya Forest Growers Association (KEFGA) who have been running a sensitization campaign aimed at getting more attention and incentives for investors in the commercial forestry sector.

He informed the stakeholders that government would ensure that the proposed Forest Policy would be implemented to the letter and hence guide the sector for a long time to come. He noted that previously the Forest Master Plan of 1994 was not implemented and hence all the challenges that have faced the county in the last few years.

The current Forest policy and bill do not identify commercial forest growers as a distinct stakeholder group that must be identified and engaged with given their contribution to wood supply in the country as well as the role the sector plays in the conservation of natural forest which have come under pressure over the years.

Mr. Gideon Gathara was representing the Principal Secretary Ministry of Environment, Water and Natural Resources, noted that Uganda has a strong commercial forestry sector which can be attributed to immense support from the Ugandan government. “Aside from funding commercial forestry projects, the government of Uganda has allocated land to cater for the same. Part of our wood supply comes from Uganda”, he noted. 

It emerged that, the current plantation resources of 135, 000 hectares of government land and and estimated 150, 000 hectares of private land falls way short of what the country needs to produce a sustainable wood supply. The current forest cover in the country falls between 2.7 per cent and 6.7 percent of the total land area which is below the United Nation Environmental Programme recommendation of 10 per cent forest cover .

“Commercial forestry provides the only economically viable option for Kenya to increase forest cover and meet domestic wood demand, whilst harnessing the potential of forests to reduce poverty, improve domestic livelihoods and leveraging sustainable rural development”, said Hon. Sammy Weya who is KEFGA Vice Chairman, adding that commercial forestry should be recognized as an intrinsic and complementary component of national forestry regeneration and conservation strategy.

In a presentation made by Gatsby Charitable Foundation's Africa Programme Director, Mr. James Forster, participants were informed that Kenya needs to plant 150,000 hectares every year for the next 10 years so as to attain the 10% target by 2030. "If this is done, the county will save as much as US Dollars 400 million used annually to import timber and finished timber products" said Mr. Forster whose organisation supports  forestry and agriculture initiatives in East Africa. Kenya could also become carbon neutral if the said planting targets are met.  

Meanwhile, tree farmers are being urged to form unions in their counties as such will provide a professional and open level playing field that will not only boost the growth of commercial forestry but also see farmers making maximum profits from their investments in forestry. According to Mr. Benson Kanyi, Secretary General, KEFGA, among the biggest challenge most tree farmer face is lack of good prices for their wood and a majority of them end up selling at a lose.

 “Most farmers end up getting bad prices as the pricing is mostly determined by how well the relationship between the farmer and the broker is. Again, brokers take advantage of the fact that some farmers don’t quite know the value of their produce,” said Mr. Kanyi.

In Mombasa County, through the South Coast Forest Owners Association, tree farmers who are members have managed to address issues relating to value addition for better produce as well as wood prising. “Associations will provide solid grounds to address issues affecting investments in tree farming. This will also increase their negotiating power as they market their wood,” Said Gen (Rtd) Humphrey Njoroge, chairman, KEFGA.

Farmers are being advised to carry out extensive market research so as to realize best product prices before disposing their products in the market place. Farmers should also consult with local forest officers for additional information on valuation and pricing of their products.

KEFGA In Kisumu

Hon. Sammy Weya- Kenya Forest Growers Association (Vice-Chairman) during the Kisumu sensitization event 

Hon. Weya chatting with Kisumu Senator Hon.,. Anyang Nyongo and Ndhiwa MP Hon. Aghostino Neto before the start of the event 

KEFGA Technical Consultant Kennedy Kahembe joins Benson Kanyi and Gen. (Rtd) Humphrey Njoroge;  KEFGA Secretary General and Chairman respectively 

Hon. Anyang Nyongo with Mrs. Dorothy Nyongo and Hon. Neto

Hon. Anyang Nyongo making his speech 

Hon. Neto during his speech. 

Kisumu Senator supports KEFGA’s Cause 
Professor Anyang Nyong’o, Senator Kisumu county, has called upon the government to recognise commercial forestry as a profitable and sustainable business venture that can positively impact on the economy as well as improve the livelihoods of rural populations through employment.

Prof’ Nyong’o noted that in the recent past, several of the country’s natural forests have suffered deforestation due to the high demand of wood. At the same time, the country’s largest paper plant ‘Pan Paper’ closed down mainly due to insufficient supply of wood, the basic raw material.

“I am aware that about 60 percent of Kenya’s wood supply comes from imports. This is proof enough that we need to tap into the wood business which we are greatly losing out to our neighbouring countries where we import from, said Prof Nyong’o.

He added at “In order to address the country’s wood supply need, I believe that commercial forestry is the only viable solution. I am therefore in full support of the sector and my appeal is for my fellow parliamentarians to include commercial forestry in the Forest Bill.”

In the current Forest Bill, which is due for debate in Parliament soon, private commercial forestry is hardly recognized and most emphasis is on conservation of natural forests in the limited state forests.

Prof’ Nyong’o was speaking during a sensitization programme on the importance of Commercial Forestry hosted by the Kenya Forest Growers Association (KEFGA), a national association championing for commercial Forestry in the country.  

Echoing his remarks was Member of Parliament, Ndhiwa Constituency Hon’ Aghostinho Neto, who said that Kisumu and Nyanza regions have conducive weather for tree growing and farmers should consider venturing in tree farming more so because of the current building boom in the country.

“I think this initiative by KEFGA has the potential to positively impact the rural community. It should therefore be supported by both the county and national government,” said Hon. Neto.

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The Question and Answer session during the Kisumu Media Briefing

Q: How much does one need to register with KEFGA?
Gregory Waga Journalist from Kenya News Agency

A: For 20 acres and below, one needs Ksh.5, 000 for registration and Ksh.2, 000 for annual subscription. 20 acres and above, one required Ksh.25, 000 for registration and Ksh.5, 000 for the annual subscription. (Mr. Benson Kanyi. Secretary General KEFGA)

Q: Does KEFGA have plans of opening up branches in Kisumu?
  Rushide Oudia Journalist from Standard Newspaper

A: We have plans to open up branches in several regions in the country but this is dependent on the number of farmers joining the association. We cannot open up branches if we don’t have farmers. Nyanza has the potential to benefit from tree farming given the county’s weather, favourable for tree growing as well as the good quality of soil. (Mr. Benson Kanyi. Secretary General KEFGA)

Q: What does a farmer stand to gain by joining KEFGA?
Prof Anyang Nyong’o
A: One of the benefits is technical advice on value addition for better end products and this will automatically translate to better prices. In addition, marketing, we can connect farmers with potential buyers.  (General (Rtd) Humphrey Njoroge, Chairman, KEFGA)

Q: What precautions should one take while planting Muringa tree to prevent damage from animals?
Prof Anyang Nyong’o
A: The most important thing is to heavily invest in security; a strong fencing structure as well as manpower. (General (Rtd) Humphrey Njoroge, Chairman, KEFGA)

Q: Is commercial forestry included in the current Forest Bill?
Maurice Alar Journalist from The Star Newspaper
A: The current bill which is due for debate in Parliament soon, hardly recognized commercial forestry and most emphasis is on the conservation of natural forests in the limited state forests. The commercial forestry sector in a big way contributes to the conservation because the sector provides a solution to wood demand hence easing pressure on the natural forests. We are therefore challenging the government to include the sector as it has the potential to contribute to economic growth. (Mr. Benson Kanyi.) 

Kenya Forest Growers Association embarks on campaign to sensitize public...