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)