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FARM FORESTRY AND EVERGREEN AGRICULTURE: GOING TO SCALE TOGETHER

IN AFRICA

22 June 2016

Workshop Report

UNEP Conference Room 13, Nairobi, Kenya

May Muthuri |Mieke Bourne | James Daniel | Winnie Achieng

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Contents

Contents ............................................................................................................................................................. 1

List of Abbreviations ........................................................................................................................................... 2

Session 1: Opening Remarks – Dennis Garrity (UNCCD Drylands Ambassador, EverGreen Agriculture Partnership Chair) ............................................................................................................................ 3

Session 2: Introduction - Jhony Zapata (Forest Farm Facility Forestry Officer) ................................................. 4

Session 3: Vision 2030 and Target of Recovering 10% Forest Cover: The Role of Farm Forest Smallholders - Oscar Simanto (Kenya Forest Service) ........................................................................................ 4

Session 4: County Government Role in Forest Restoration and Farm Forestry ................................................. 6

1. County Government of Baringo, the Importance to Support Smallholders in the County – Emmanuel .............................................................................................................. 6

2. County Government of Nakuru, the Importance to Support Smallholders in the County – Mary Nyamu .......................................................................................................... 7

3. Farm Forestry Smallholders Producer Association of Kenya (FF-SPAK), its Importance to Achieve the Target of Recovering Forest Cover – Geoffrey Wanyama (CEO FF-SPAK) ................................................................................................................................ 7

4. Nakuru Tree Nurseries Association (NCTNA), generating income for the Families by Making Sustainable Business with Tree Nurseries – Charles Wagura Macharia (NCTNA Chair) 8

Session 5: An Introduction to the Forest and Farm Facility (FFF) and Partner Programmes Strengthening Forest and Farm Producer Organizations .................................................................................11

1. Implementation of the FFF in Zambia– Vincent Ziba (FFF Facilitator Zambia) ........ 11

2. Brief Overview of FFF, its Objectives and Significance for Africa – Jhony Zapata (FFF Forestry Officer Rome) ........................................................................................................ 12

3. Implementation of FFF in Kenya – Philip Kisoyan (FFF National Facilitator Kenya) 13

Session 6: The Promise of EverGreen Agriculture - Dennis Garrity (UNCCD Drylands Ambassador, EverGreen Agriculture Partnership Chair) ..................................................................................15

Session 7: Brainstorm on How to Scale-Up Together ......................................................................................17

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List of Abbreviations

ICRAF World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF)

FAO Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

KFS Kenya Forest Service

KEFRI Kenya Forestry Research Institute

EVA Evergreen Agriculture

EVAP EverGreen Agriculture Partnership

FFF Forest Farm Facility

FF-SPAK Farm Forestry Smallholder Producers Associations of Kenya

WFO World Farmers’ Organization

NFA National Forestry Authority

AFR100 African Restoration Initiative

REDD+ Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation

NCTNA Nakuru Tree Nursery Association

PELIS Plantation Establishment and Livelihood Improvement Scheme

KEPHIS Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service

FLEGT Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade

HCDA Horticultural Crops Development Authority

NEMA National Environment Management Authority

AEZ Agro-Ecological Zones

ASAL Arid and Semi-Arid Lands

AU African Union

CBO Community Based Organizations

GIS Geographic Information System (GIS)

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Session 1: Opening Remarks – Dennis Garrity (UNCCD Drylands

Ambassador, EverGreen Agriculture Partnership Chair)

Dennis Garrity welcomed all and highlighted that all organizations present had a common

knowledge that the future of trees is on farms. The seminar is therefore meant to provide a

platform to discuss the numerous opportunities and developments in Kenya and other

countries, on how smallholder farmers are organizing themselves, developing the strengths

and knowledge of germplasm and nurseries, amongst other efforts, in a bid to accelerate the

development of Agroforestry in the land. Additionally, the seminar provides an opportunity

for synergies, connections and networks, by which all organizations present can effectively

reach the many smallholder farmers who are in themselves interested in developing their

farm forestry systems.

Dennis also noted that the seminar is being held at a crucial moment since Kenya recently

made a commitment to restore 5.2 million hectares of degraded land, based on the African

Forest Landscape Initiative (AFR100).

“The best time to plant a tree was 20

years ago, but the second best time to

do so is today.”

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Session 2: Introduction - Jhony Zapata (Forest Farm Facility Forestry

Officer)

There are various commitments and agreements from

the government and policies that are important, but

need to be implemented on the ground since the key

players are on the ground, working together and

benefiting from the immediate benefits of

Agroforestry. The stakeholders present therefore need

to agree on some common next steps on what we can

do together and how to implement all the agreements

and commitments already initiated. Jhony gave an

example of Nicaragua, where a new canal is being built

and some of its objectives are geared towards

protecting the environment by planting trees in a

number of hectares. However, this initiative is mainly

targeting senior people and the government, and the local people have no say or way of

participating in the same.

Kenya should make sure it doesn’t follow this example, rather liaise with organizations at the

grassroots as well as the farmers. One way in which this can be achieved is through simple

and concrete suggestions through which all organizations present can play a role. Dennis

added that in Kenya, the smallholder farmer is the forester, presently and in the future,

hence will avoid the Nicaragua case.

Session 3: Vision 2030 and Target of Recovering 10% Forest Cover: The

Role of Farm Forest Smallholders - Oscar Simanto (Kenya Forest Service)

Kenya is a low forest cover country and sustainable

wood supply is currently insufficient, and demand is

likely to increase rapidly. Currently, only 6.99% of the

total land area in Kenya (56,914,000 ha) is covered

by forests, yet 70% of the national energy use is

6.99%, out of which protected forest areas account

for 3.20%. The forest cover is categorized into three:

natural forests (41%), commercial forests (11.4%)

and trees on farm (47.6%). This situation will later

translate to increased deforestation of natural

forests, increased prices of wood products, including

charcoal, widening trade for wood products and

increased import rates.

In a bid to address this problem, Kenya has

committed to rehabilitate 5.2 million hectares of degraded forestlands, farmlands and

rangeland, increasing the forest cover to 10% by 2030. If this is achieved there will be an

increase in access to wood, i.e. increasing the area under forests (drylands, state plantations,

farmlands, private plantations) and increasing productivity (species and environment).

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Some of the proposed models for supporting national efforts of increasing forest cover

include:

1. Production of high quality tree seedlings

2. Promotion of commercial tree and growing bamboo

3. Development of state plantation forests (140,000 ha)

4. Promotion of Agroforestry

5. Management of invasive tree species

6. Forest resources assessment

7. National tree planting campaigns

8. Forest governance and crosscutting issues (Farm Forestry Field Schools (FFFS);

application of participatory forestry extension methodologies for capacity

development; community action planning; community woodland management

planning)

9. Promotion of non-wood forest products (capacity building for County Governments

for Forestry Development; promotion of urban, roadside, railside and amenity tree

growing; forests for energy: Support to development of charcoal producer

associations

10. Forest education, training and research (school greening programme; sustainable

forest management financing; development of financing mechanisms for tree

growing including REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest

Degradation)

Giving an example of Uruguay, Oscar noted the importance of giving incentives to farmers,

for example through tax incentives, soft credits and provision of subsidies in priority growth

areas, which can translate to a 30 fold increase in private plantation areas, and a 10%

increase in forest cover. Involvement of smallholder farmers will provide: a platform for

establishment of tree growers associations aimed at organizing farmers to do effective

marketing; a platform for on farm tree research; opportunities for technology dissemination

and uptake (Agroforestry, landscape improvement, commercial forest establishment,

processing e.t.c.); land for growing trees; labour force for landscape restoration initiatives

and a platform to advocate for a favourable policy environment for tree growers.

Additionally, sources such as

indigenous forests, dry-woodlands,

government plantations, private

plantations in high potential areas

and private plantations in Arid and

Semi-Arid Lands (ASAL) areas can be

considered in order to close the

widening wood access deficit gap.

Three criteria’s/ questions need to

be considered to ensure the success

of this venture:

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1. How productive the forest system is in terms of sustainability yield per hectare per

year?

2. What opportunities exist to leverage private sector finance to scale reforestation/

afforestation activities?

3. How much land is available for expansion?

Kenya’s commercial forestry sector also needs to be catalysed by: increasing variety and

access to high quality planting material suited to various Agro-Ecological Zones (AEZs);

Increasing access to training on ‘best practice’ silviculture for targeted end product markets;

Ensuring competitive market conditions that stimulate adoption of efficient harvesting and

processing technologies; recognizing the role of commercial forest growers in policy and

law, accelerating and ensuring transparency of government gazetted plantations; encourage

greater public-private collaboration around areas of research, forest finance, and risk

mitigation mechanisms.

In addition to the above measures, various opportunities that exist should be leveraged

upon, such as the favorable policy and legal framework; favorable weather and suitable

soils; vast lands in the ASALS; increased stakeholders interest in tree growing; available tree

growing technologies from research; a big population to provide labor for tree planting

initiatives; increasing market demand for forest products and emerging carbon markets.

Session 4: County Government Role in Forest Restoration and Farm

Forestry

1. County Government of Baringo, the Importance to Support Smallholders in the County – Emmanuel

Emmanuel gave an overview of the

county, highlighting Mogotio sub-

county achievements with regard to

farm forestry:

Established a modern tree

nursery with the main aim of

propagating and conserving

indigenous tree species

Purchase of tree mango

seedlings which are

distributed to women groups and individual farmers in the area

Initiation of a regreening program, with the target of planting 2.9 million trees by

2017. So far, the program has benefitted 5 schools, 75 women groups and 66

individual households

Distributed 57,105 tree seedlings and 12,447 mango seedlings to institutions

Distributed 18,439 tree seedlings to individual households

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2. County Government of Nakuru, the Importance to Support Smallholders in the County – Mary Nyamu

Mary gave an overview of Nakuru County, noting some measures already in place with

regards to Agroforestry by promoting tree planting through existing nurseries, marketing

organizations as well as community based organizations. Some of the achievements thus far

include:

Making of briquettes through the three R’s policy i.e. Reducing, Recycling and

Reusing of the waste. This is carried out through women and Community Based

Organizations (CBO) in the area

Promotion of energy conservation methods such as energy saving jikos as well as

biogas, through women and CBO groups, in a bid curb deforestation. Additionally,

the county government is involved in the process whereby half of the total energy

saving jikos required, are prepared by them, and the farmers meet the other half

Discussion:

Q: The initiatives undertaken in Baringo County are commendable, but the key question is

on the overall impact on the inhabitants, owing to the fact that there are around 100,000

inhabitants, and 90,000 of them are rural families. The initiative has only managed to reach

around 50,000 tree seedlings, hence how can the wide gap be covered?

A: the initiative is still at the initial stages and is hopeful that the county government is going

to ensure the gap is closed. The current target as indicated in the strategic plan is to have

planted 2.4 million trees in the county in the next two years

Q: So many activities are being implemented in the counties, but how is the monitoring and

evaluation being carried out?

A: a participatory forest management plan is used to monitor and evaluate all the activities

in Nakuru County. Additionally a Plantation Establishment and Livelihood Improvement

Scheme (PELIS) is used and the community is involved

3. Farm Forestry Smallholders Producer Association of Kenya (FF-SPAK), its Importance to Achieve the Target of Recovering Forest Cover – Geoffrey Wanyama (CEO FF-SPAK)

Farm Forestry Smallholder

Producers Associations of Kenya

(FF-SPAK) is an umbrella for the

smallholder farmers in Kenya

comprising of various associations

including a savings association

which has a membership of 12,000,

a six membership secretariat

comprising of experts in marketing,

forestry, organizational

development, amongst others. The

organization aims at promoting:

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Trees on farms for the benefit of smallholder farmers e.g. wood and poles for

construction, fence posts, fuelwood and charcoal, fruits, fodder, medicine, gums and

resin

Livelihood improvement and poverty alleviation through sale of tree products

Environmental services through carbon sinks- climate change, aesthetic value and

protection against land degradation

Agricultural productivity through fertilizer trees

National economic growth

Broaden the scope of tree planting since the country has fixed gazette forest areas

Build capacity of member organizations

Promote the rights of smallholder farmers

A platform where smallholder farmers can meet and share experiences

Great opportunities exist in scaling up farm forestry such as:

1. Critical mass of farmers willing to venture into tree farming based on the immense

benefits accrued

2. Supportive policy environment to spur increased wood production and development

of community and farm forestry

3. Devolution which has enabled community and farm forestry extension as the county

governments are now in charge of the entire process

4. Large unfulfilled domestic and industrial markets such as energy and construction

fields

5. Technology and expertise present in most parts of the country

6. Easy access to inputs e.g. tree seedlings

7. Minimum care of the trees on farms

Some challenges however need to be addressed in order to meet the demands as well as

take advantage of the above named opportunities, for instance, restrictions on timber trade

in the country; lack of quality germplasm; poor knowledge and technological expertise on

tree nursery management and sivi-cultural practices; poor linkages between research

institutions, extensionists and producers; exploitation as well as lack of organization

amongst producers.

4. Nakuru Tree Nurseries Association (NCTNA), generating income for the Families by Making Sustainable Business with Tree Nurseries – Charles Wagura Macharia (NCTNA Chair)

The Nakuru Tree Nursery Association (NCTNA) was established in 2013 with the aim of

generating income for farmers as well as marketing suitable businesses. Additionally, its

formation was as a result of absence of a central organ for representing the interests of tree-

nursery entrepreneurs within the county; need for a platform comprising of like-minded

individuals/ groups to interact and share ideas for the betterment of the tree nursery sector

in Nakuru; inadequate financial and technical capacity by individuals to address certain

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market demands on their own; need to have a central database for tree-nursery products

and services; need to have a strategic support partner for easy facilitation of government

and private sector initiatives within the county; need to address any other unique needs that

entrepreneurs from different parts of the county may experience within their sub-county

localities.

The association comprises of more

than 400 individual-run tree-

nurseries across 11 sub-counties in

Nakuru, directly employing over

1,500 workers and 5,000 workers

indirectly. Some of the activities

carried out by the association

include: tree nursery management

services; Supply of tree seedlings

and potted plants; landscaping

and related green-lawn

management services; production of charcoal briquettes from timber waste and other eco-

friendly energy conservation products; provision of practical training for schools and other

institutions.

Some of the benefits enjoyed by members include:

Protection of member interests at both local and regional levels

Protection of member rights from unfair trade practices and policies

Free participation in training programs at the sub-county level

Access to waivered rates in case of any paid events/ initiatives

Access to industry and trade information through periodic publications and other events

Rights to vote and eligibility to be elected as officials

Support during high market demands

Corporate marketing campaigns

Various achievements have been experienced thus far such as:

Launch of NTCNA during the

Nakuru Agribusiness Trade Fair

in June 2015

Opening of an office at the

Nakuru Agricultural Training

Centre, courtesy of the former

Horticultural Crops

Development Authority (HCDA)

Receiving a ¼ acre piece of land

donation from the County

Government, which will act as a

demonstration centre

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Receiving a 3 acre donation from the Directorate of Meteorology Services, which will act

as a field demonstration and training centre

One of the member CBOs managed to acquire Kshs. 500 000/= grant from FAO, for

environmental conservation projects

NCTNA was voted the Best Farm-Forestry Membership Association in Kenya by FAO’s

technical evaluation team which toured Kenya early 2016

Invitation by media houses such as The Standard Newspaper, the People Daily, Radio

Amani, QTV and Egerton Radio, for interviews on the associations’ activities. NCTNA has

also featured in Taifa Leo’s “Mkulima Bora Segment” and Daily Nation’s “Seeds of Gold”

magazines

Donated tree seedlings to the County Department of Environment, and received an

exhibition stand during the World Environmental Day celebrations at Kampiya Moto

(Rongai) in June 2015

Participation in several trainings and capacity building programs in partnership with;

Kenya Forest Service (KFS), FF-SPAK, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United

Nations (FAO), World Farmers’ Organization (WFO), National Environment Management

Authority (NEMA), We-Effect, Meteorological Department and other partners in 2015/

2016

Initiating several new projects such as The NCTNA Green Magazine, in partnership with

FAO and FF-SPAK, which act as the association’s in-house publication.

NCTNA officials took part in 6-day Exchange Program courtesy of FAO, KFS and FF-SPAK,

in Uganda

Currently in the process of initiating schools and colleges programs whose main

objective will be to promote farm-forestry amongst the potential youth market in Kenya

Some needs however have to be addressed in order to meet the associations’ objectives, for

instance: financial and logistical support to enable NCTNA to equip the demonstration

centres; facilitation of the tree nurseries with a non-commercial flat-rate for payment of

water bills so as to reduce recurring operation costs; water-tanker truck that can enable

farmers in dry and semi-arid areas, and those who depend on water from seasonal streams,

to be productive throughout

the year; quality seeds;

facilitation of the training of

trainers for farmers in order to

attain certification that will

put them in a better position

to face competition and other

emerging market challenges;

land wholly owned by the

association; dam-lining

materials for farmers to

enable them build self-dug

water reservoirs that can

reduce water-bill costs and sustain a nursery for at least 3 months.

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Discussion:

Q: Is this the only Association that exists in Kenya?

A: This is the only existing nursery association in Kenya and is being used as an example by

other counties planning to form their own

C: We need to ensure quality seeds since nurseries are now being established by many, with

no proper procedures. We also need to consider their sources i.e. from the mother tree or

vegetative propagation

Session 5: An Introduction to the Forest and Farm Facility (FFF) and

Partner Programmes Strengthening Forest and Farm Producer

Organizations

1. Implementation of the FFF in Zambia– Vincent Ziba (FFF Facilitator Zambia)

Vincent gave an overview of Zambia as well as the Farm Forests implementation program in

the country, noting that 60% of the land is covered by natural forests (752,000 kilometres),

and 2.2 million hectares is controlled by the government in form of forest reserves (432).

Additionally, 15.2 million hectares is under traditional/ customary ownership, giving the

community an opportunity to participate in the improvement of forest cover in the country.

Through farm forestry and the forestry department, the country has set strategic objectives

that highlight that by 2030, the organization should:

Engage traditional leaders in timber concession management, currently being

implemented

Strengthen local institutions

on forest conservation

management and forest

business management

Ensure adoption of carbon

emission practices for

instance through promotion

of sustainable agricultural

practices and provision of

performance based

incentives

Regulate production of wood fuel, charcoal and firewood through enhanced models

and technologies

Ensure adoption of appropriate and affordable alternative energy sources for

instance through provision of incentives for renewable energy sources

Have an integrated land use plan in place

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Build capacity of local institutions to implement and monitor REDD+ initiatives for

instance through promotion of the REDD+ model

Forest Farm Facility operates under the following pillars:

1. Organized forest and farm producer organizations - through trainings and a market

development analysis where farmers are trained for business;

2. Cross sectoral, multi-stakeholder platforms in order to increase coordination and

effectiveness through introduction of a forest commodity committee reinforced by

Farm Forestry; foreseeing the legal process of charcoal production to ensure

maximum profits are enjoyed by farmers; organize a platform in which farmers can

market their honey;

3. Linking local voices and learning at local, national and global levels – by engaging

community in proposal writing so as to source for funding for their activities;

organizing community groups so as to market and package their products well, as

well as have a bargaining power when it comes to setting of prices; tree nursery

establishment; partnership with We Effect to ensure wider reach

Discussion:

Q: How far is the REDD+ process and how prepared is Zambia in terms of its legal framework

A: A REDD+ strategy was developed in 2015 and FAO is currently assisting in the

implementation of the same. The

World Bank has also expressed

interest, and monitoring and

evaluation processes are also being

introduced at the national and

institutional levels. Additionally,

trainings have been carried out to

enable local officers to capture

Geographic Information System (GIS)

images appropriately

Q: Zambia is experiencing 240,000ha loss yearly, how will this gap be narrowed? What is the

strategy?

A: Zambia has Miombo which can help close the gap (regenerate), if farmers are encouraged

and trained on how to cut tree branches

2. Brief Overview of FFF, its Objectives and Significance for Africa – Jhony Zapata (FFF Forestry Officer Rome)

Showing photos of groups in circles, Jhony explained that the Forest Farm Facility (FFF)

revolves around that concept (circle) whereby support is accorded to farmers so as to

improve their livelihoods as well as be engaged in decision making. The programme is

currently being implemented in ten countries: Bolivia, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Gambia,

Liberia, Kenya, Zambia, Myanmar, Nepal and Vietnam.

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FFF has enjoyed great successes thus far including: providing support to more than 220

FFPOs including apex federations and local enterprises in 10 countries, regionally and

globally; Gambia now has 56 organizations and associations comprising of 108,984 women

and 163,330 men; 1.3 million farmers have reforested 3.5 million hectares; small forest

farmer groups have established enterprises that have attributed to 15% price increase for

their timber and cinnamon products courtesy of working together and negotiating prices as

a group; and providing linkages to REDD+, Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade

(FLEGT) and IKEA.

3. Implementation of FFF in Kenya – Philip Kisoyan (FFF National Facilitator Kenya)

“As long as there is a market, people will find a way. We should use this approach for

forests on farms.”

In Kenya, FFF is operating in two counties: Nakuru and Laikipia whereby farmers have been

trained and organized into producer groups, as well as provided small grants to support their

business development plans. So far 6 producer groups have been supported through the

initiative and some of the enterprises related to forest and farm include timber, honey,

poultry, bamboo, stinging nettle, amongst others. The program is however experiencing a

challenge of moving from subsistent to commercial production, since production levels are

very low. However, if these products are aggregated, then the program can meet the market

volume requirement.

FFF in a bid to address this challenge, is encouraging farmers to form product based

associations so they can make contracts with big players in the markets to get better prices

with which they can improve their

livelihoods. Additionally, a framework

was developed and great results have

been achieved through it. In Nakuru

for example, various associations

have been established including tree

nursery association, timber

association and fruit tree (avocado)

association. Associations have also

been established in Laikipia with

focus on tree nurseries, beekeeping

and indigenous chicken farming. In both counties, quick wins are established under the

program, in order to sustain the farmers financially as they wait for the trees to mature. This

framework can be replicated across the country for various products.

A conference for family forestry organizations was held in June 2015 to promote forestry on

farms. One of the outcomes was the need to make a business case for Farm Forestry and

have markets as the main driver.

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Comments:

1. FF-SPAK has registered to the FFF cooperative marketing limited for the south coast

and Kilifi. This has been made possible by the support the organization has received

from We Effect, equipping the organization on best packaging methods considered

suitable for the market.

2. We need to have an inventory on Farm Forestry so as to account for the volumes

farmers have. FF-SPAK for instance developed a tool to help farmers capture the

volumes on their farms, and the same or a much simpler tool can be developed to

carry out a large scale inventory

3. We need to look at the bigger picture where farmers can market their products to

both national and international markets, hence consider forest certification to make

this possible, since international markets usually consider the source and

sustainability of the seedlings. This can be done through the existing associations

which act as the umbrella bodies and will have higher bargaining power

4. Acquiring high quality tree seedlings should not just be the responsibility of Kenya

Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI) or KFS but also that of the associations so as to

ensure quality seeds are distributed to farmers and in turn ensure quality produce

and nurseries. Additionally, KFS only supplies 10% of tree seedlings, meaning the

greater percentage comes from farmers. This therefore calls for the need to ensure

farmers acquire high quality seedlings

5. Next time we should bring in more of the buyers (internal and international) to have

more discussion regarding bulking, pre-processing e.t.c. that can be done by an

association

6. While KEFRI is good for producing high quality they are not a business hence cannot

produce anywhere near the seed required in the country. There is an example of a

tree-seed system in Malawi under a research institute (later privatised), which was

able to make huge profits and plough them back into the organisation. The tree seed

system can now supply 65,000 tree seedlings and this shows that we need to think

about private businesses to produce seed since government organizations cannot

plough back profits into their activities. The association should look into this and see

how a tree seed businesses could be established, to meet the volume of quality

seeds.

7. We need an act that supports the efforts and programs in place since with that, we

will have a legal basis

for trees planted on

farms, just like in

Uganda where National

Forestry Authority

(NFA) introduced a Tree

Planting Act.

Additionally, Kenya can

take the approach

implemented in Zambia

whereby a Forestry Act

was introduced and it

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encourages community participation

Session 6: The Promise of EverGreen Agriculture - Dennis Garrity

(UNCCD Drylands Ambassador, EverGreen Agriculture Partnership Chair)

The future of trees is not only on farms but also in crop fields. Across the globe, there are

many examples of massive scale incorporation of trees into crop production systems. In

Kenya for example, farmers are incorporating Grevillea robusta into their maize fields and

this has translated to increase in production as well as income generation and home

consumption through the tree products such as fuel wood and timber.

In addition to woodlots and boundary planting, farmers can add value to their crop

production systems by planting the right trees, in the right place and densities, with the right

management practices and combining them with their crops to get the right synergies, and

this forms the basic concept of EverGreen Agriculture. Farmers have always had trees in

their crop lands but have not been encouraged to do it hence the introduction of EVA which

not only encourages them but also ensures maximum usage of the land and increased

income through trees, crops and livestock. When a working group mapped trees in Kenya it

was found out that 70% of crop land already has more than 10% tree land cover, particularly

in the drylands.

A national conference on Melia volkensii is currently being organized by KEFRI, ICRAF and

Better Globe Forestry, scheduled to

take place in February 2016. This will

involve all players in the Melia

industry i.e. the marketers, scientists,

processors, researchers, farmers,

furniture makers, developers, e.t.c.

hence all organizations present should

consider attending. Additionally, the

Partnership for EverGreen Agriculture

is bringing main players together to

promote and scale up EverGreen

Agriculture practices. This seminar also serves as a great platform to forge partnerships as

there is a lot to learn from the FFF experience and successful efforts.

Jhony added on to Dennis presentation, noting an upcoming 3-4 days national conference

for tree nursery association of Kenya which will be held in Nakuru in collaboration with the

Nakuru Tree Nursery Association, FAO/ FFF, ICRAF, KFS, FF-SPAK, We Effect, amongst others.

This conference will provide an opportunity for stakeholders to share experiences on the

structures of the tree nurseries in the counties, come up with a legal framework for the

establishment and operation of tree nurseries in Kenya at the county level, business case for

tree nurseries in Kenya, opportunities for tree nurseries e.g. certification of tree nurseries,

launching of the guideline for certification of the tree nurseries, an agreement on the way

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forward for the tree nursery associations. FFF is willing to provide the funds for the

conference if stakeholders present are interested and also willing to support on the same.

Comments:

1. EverGreen Agriculture is a good

way to go as farm sizes are

getting smaller, and the

scientific and local knowledge

on how to undertake should be

provided to the other

organizations so as to support

this move. Additionally, we

need to take up the landscape

approach as the challenges of

deforestation are not within forest systems, rather outside these systems. There is

need to add value to tree and tree products and this can be achieved through the

associations as we can also reach farmers at the local level since this has proven to

be difficult through the local government. This will also encourage community based

trainers to provide extension as government extension cannot reach all the farmers.

2. The working environment for the farmers is equally as important so as to work with

their schedules or routines and more so the immediate needs they would like met.

3. We need to consider how to create the empowering environment for tree crops.

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Session 7: Brainstorm on How to Scale-Up Together

Activity Strategies Responsible

National conference on Tree Nurseries

National conference on tree nurseries- formation of the national association on tree nurseries.

The certification of the tree nurseries and planting materials by Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) and KEFRI.

Harmonizing the existing tree nursery guidelines. (To include the minimum requirement for certification and established seed collection centers).

Involve Gatsby and other stakeholders in the national workshop on tree nurseries.

Involving the local community groups that use the indigenous seed collection methods.

Concept note of the tree nurseries workshops to be rolled out to the participants.

Combine the re-greening workshop with WV with the Tree Nurseries workshop in August.

FAO

KFS

KEFRI

ICRAF

National Exhibition on Forest Products

Invite exhibitions from diverse sectoral backgrounds on wood and non-wood forest products.

Assessments on the nature of the markets of the forest products through the trade fairs.

National participation for the farmers to air their grievances to the government.

Involve banks in the discussions and bringing the manufacturers and the other stakeholders.

Development of a comprehensive concept note with objectives clearly outlined.

Develop linkages with the Melia enterprise.

Reward innovations in the forestry sector. (NET fund). (KFS to hold the forest conservation awards scheme to reward tree growers across the country).

Seek approval from a government institution with the mandate to carry forward the initiative.

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