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

Please visit The African Confidential Website to read the online story or purchase a copy from your vendor.

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.

.................................................................................................................................................................. 

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...

KEFGA in the Media Part V

The Kenya News Agency which has one of the widest networks countrywide and is the government news agency has also been following the KEFGA campaign and the following stories have been filed and uploaded on their website from Nairobi, Nakuru and Kisumu.

Appeared on 24th January, 2014 Read the online version by CLICKING HERE

Appeared on 7th January, 2014, To read online version CLICK HERE

Appeared on 6th January, 2014. To read online version CLICK HERE

Kisumu Senator supports KEFGA’s Cause

Hon. Sammy Weya - KEFGA National Vice-Chairman making his remarks during the sensitization and awareness creation event in Kisumu town recently.  

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.    

KEFGA In The Online Media Part IV

KEFGA activities have been mentioned in the local online media as follows:-

Standard , People Daily , The Star  and the screenshots of the articles are below………

Starting a Tree Farm

Starting a tree farm business will help in conserving and reviving the forest. This is the best business among all the green businesses available right away. In order to be successful, you need to plan and read about this venture.

You need to do some tasks and buy equipment to help you in making the tree farm business grow.

Tree farms or known as tree nurseries are forests that are privately owned and managed for the production of timber. Tree farmers are called to those people who managed these plantations. Most tree farms are certified by an organization called American Tree Farm System. Tree farms are usually established because forests are little by little being taken down and the effort of reforestation is not sustainable enough. A tree farm owner manages this certain piece of land for wood, wildlife and recreation. If you are a type of person who have the heart for conserving the environment, then starting a tree farm business could be a good business venture for you.

Planning to become a tree farmer is not that simple as you are not stopped with planting trees and seeing them grow. There are tasks at hand but don’t be discouraged as there are some tools that could help you with the job.

Preparing the site

Choosing a location for your tree farm involves keen observation of the area. Site preparation includes hiring a logger that can help you in clearing the location of your choice. Remember to practice good logging techniques involve leaving behind woody debris on the ground. Clearing the whole area can give you the perfect ground to start tree planting.

.

Planting of trees

As we all know planting is done by using shovel and other tools. Make sure that before you start planting you know the basic of doing so in order to become successful. Controlling of the growth of weeds is very important during the first few years of planting because they can compete with the growing seedling when it comes to nutrients.

Putting property lines

When it comes to tree farm business, it is important to have a complete measure of your property in order to anticipate the growth of trees. There are a lot of instruments that could help you in doing this task. A clinometer is a sample of the tool that can measure height, diameter and circumference of a tree. This is good when you want to map out the growth of the forest.

Getting the harvest

After all the hard work, this is where the profit comes in. Before doing this, you need to have equipments that will do the job. Chainsaws, wedges, axes, logging tapes and a lot more are the tools when it comes to harvesting. It is important to keep track of everything that you do for future reference.

Taking Precautions

Your tree farm business should follow the guidelines imposed by forestry office when it comes to fire safety and protection. This way you are not prone to start a huge disaster.

Investing on Equipment

The property that you have is considered as your huge investment. The equipment and tools that you need are also part of this investment. A reliable chainsaw and tractor are essential ones. The market got a good selection of these equipments. All you need to do is research and compare prices to get the best one.

Courtesy of - www.startupbizhub.com

Trees: a great investment

A leading blogger in financial , banking and technology  Bankelele (http://www.bankelele.co.ke/) in an post way back in 2005 had illuminated the investment potential of commercial trees. The facts remain the same and any investor who took up the call to action in 2005, must be waiting to reap the benefits at any time now. Read the article below:-

Bankelele

Nairobi writer on Banking, Finance, Technology, and Investments

Monday, August 08, 2005

Trees: a great investment

Kenya has a forest cover estimated at 1.7% and shrinking. Yet, tree planting is actually a great investment opportunity that has remained under-appreciated in many parts of the country. 

Market
Depending on how you space the tree seedlings at planting and when you harvest the trees, there is a market for them. After 3 -4 years, you can harvest and sell the trees at 1 - – 4,000 shillings each for firewood or from 5 – 8 years, you can sell them off at 6,000 shillings per tree for poles. This can translate to profits of between 1 million and 6 million shillingsper acre ($13,000 - $80,000 per acre) all from an initial crop of tree seedlings that can be bought for about 10 shillings each. One also has to factor in the opportunity cost of not growing maize or other cash/food crops over the years on the land, but these tend to have high annual production costs. Also, one advantage of trees is that they can be planted on undesirable or uncultivated land.
Major buyers of trees include tea factories (who use firewood to process tea leaves), Kenya Power & Lighting Company, East African Cables, Telkom (for poles), and numerous saw millers and local wood vendors. 

Dangers: 
Two main ones are fire and pests/disease which can wipe out a mature crop of trees. Also one must also protect land from squatters, who may destroy trees for firewood, or to build homes in what they consider to be “unoccupied forest” land, or whose grazing animals may eat young tree seedlings. 

Science
Numerous advances have been made in research to speed up tree growth, and new fast-growing hybrids of trees from South Africa and Australia can be easily obtained. Some of the trees being planted around the country by enterprising land owners include Pinus, cypress eucalyptus grandis, and blue gum. 
the Future
One farmer told me that he has no worries about funding his kids university education in ten years time and even recommended that parents should plant one acre of trees per child to cater for the cost of their upbringing and education.

Courtesy of Bankelele

TV Interview on Commercial Forestry

Please find the video link to the KTN Youtube page HERE

KEFGA in the News Part III

As the sensitization campaign gains momentum, KEFGA has been in the news and below are some of the news and commentaries that we have been able to get hold of:-

The People Daily- January 10 pg 40

The Star January 18/19 pgVII

The People January 18 pg 12

 The People Daily January 20 pg 41

 The Star January 20 pg 12

 The Star January 21 pg 39

 People Daily January 23 pg 21

Standard January 23 pg 27

KEFGA Event at Royal Court - Mombasa

Mr. Z. K. Nderu  who is Chairman of Kenya  Environment Trust was the Guest of Honour in Mombasa. 

Mr. Benson Kanyi- KEFGA Secretary General makes his remarks at the Mombasa event.

A Eucalayptus plantation that local journalists and tree growers visited in Kilifi area. 

Mr.Itumo Moindi making a presentation during the event in Mombasa. He is the KEFGA Representative in Coast Region. 

Question and answer session in Mombasa during the Commercial Forestry sensitization event   

Q: For one to be a KEFGA member is there minimum acreage one should own?
     Mr. Joseph Githnji, Tree Farmer.
A:  To be a member one needs to have at least 2 acres of land.
      (Mr. Benson Kanyi. Sec’ General KEFGA).

Q: Can KEFGA assist tree farmers in acquiring land?
     Juma Goshi. Tree farmer in Kilifii

A: Currently we are not even getting funding and we have no means of helping farmers to acquire land. But I believe if we come together and create mass, we can address such issues.
(Mr. Benson Kanyi).

Q: What steps is KEFGA taking in value addition for Kenya Power and Lighting Company poles?

A: KEFGA is encouraging local investors to establish wood treatment plants to take full advantage of the supply from commercial forest growers. In future KEFGA will mobilize resources to establish own plants for value addition.

Not so long ago, the Kenya Power and Lighting Company put out a tender for 1,000, 000 poles. Unfortunately, the bulk of this will be imported meaning we are losing and we will continue to do so if do not start acting. We need to form associations to drum up our cause. 
(Mr. Benson Kanyi)

Q: Can farmers benefit from carbon trading.
Moffat Mutero: Journalist from Climate Change Magazine.

A: Yes farmers can benefit from carbon trading as long as they are registered. However, the issue of carbon trading is a complex one. Countries in the KYOTO protocol have failed to agree on the way forward. However, this is an issue that can be pursed to benefit local tree farmers in the near future.
(Mr Benson Kanyi).

Q: Can KEFGA negotiate with the government to provide distillers to treat oil extract from the Muringa tree?

 A: We have made several pleas to the government to support tree farmers but all have been fruitless. I believe if we commit ourselves to working in groups, in future we can manage to convince the government to provide such equipment as well as other forms of support.
(Mr. Kennedy Kahembe Technical Manager at KEFGA)

Government asked to allocate land for commercial tree growing during KEFGA Mombasa event.

The government is being urged to ensure it allocates land to the locals in the coast region in the one million acre Galana-Kulalu irrigation scheme that was launched in the beginning of this year by President Uhuru Kenyatta. 

The project, aimed at increasing food security, creating wealth and employment opportunities, will see the government inject some US dollars 42 million in the first phase of the project.

According to Mr. ZK Nderu, chairman of the Environment Trust, the government plans to rollout a tender to lease the land which will automatically lock out locals as they will not all qualify.

“I have made a plea to the government to come up with a plan that will ensure the common mwananchi in the coast region is allocated land. We need to have stake in this project. If foreigners get all the land, how then can we claim that the project is Kenya’s,” said Mr. Nderu.

Speaking during a sensitization event in Mombasa for current and potential private forest growers in the Coast region, Mr Nderu proposed to the government to allocate some 300 acres then subdivide into 5acres each and allocate to the locals.

“Let Kenyans settle in those lands and acquire skills to utilize the land. There are several projects that the locals can adopt to earn a leaving, for instance, tree planting for commercial purposes. Given the good weather condition in the coast region, tree planting would prosper and earn the farmers good returns,” he said.

The Kenya Forest Growers Association (KEFGA), is a voluntary membership organisation representing and promoting commercial forestry and tree growing in Kenya. The association has been on a campaign trail in regions with high potential for tree growing.

According to Mr. Benson Kanyi the Secretary General of KEFGA commercial forestry has real potential to produce wealth for the poor either through direct participation as growers or through employment.

“Commercial forestry has potential to solve unemployment in the rural areas because for every hectare planted, three jobs are created for at least eight years”, said Mr Kanyi adding that there are many landowners who are potential tree growers and government should support them by providing incentives like funding and training tree farmers feel that commercial forestry will contribute to economic growth if the government supports the sector and more so include the sector in the Forest Bill due for debate in Parliament soon. In the current bill, commercial forestry is hardly recognized and most emphasis is on the conservation of natural forests in the limited state forests.

KEFGA, was formed and registered in 2008. It currently has 300 member who include commercial growers ranging in scale from 2 to 1, 000 acres who are located in numerous counties. So far the association has invested Ksh.1.2 billion and created 30,000 jobs.  

KEFGA In the news Part II

As the KEFGA Sensitization and Awareness campaign continues around the country, the media has taken notice of the pertinent issues being raised. The following is coverage in the recent past:-