Regreening Kenya embarks on an ambitious journey to bring more than 150,000 hectares of degraded land under restoration
Regreening Africa is an EU-funded programme that started in 2017. The programme’s goal is to improve livelihoods, strengthen food security and build resilience to climate change, while restoring degraded ecosystem services in eight countries. In Kenya, the programme is implemented specifically in Homa Bay, Migori, Nakuru, Baringo, Elgeyo Marakwet, Laikipia, Samburu, Isiolo and Marsabit counties, and has created a platform that will have a positive impact on the livelihoods of 50,000 smallholders and begin the restoration of 150,000 hectares of degraded land by 2022.

The programme is in partnership with the World Agroforestry (link is external) (ICRAF) and World Vision Kenya (link is external). It identifies suitable restoration areas through assessments of the health of soils and vegetation as well as prioritisation with farmers, then identifies suitable restoration practices and appropriate tree species for various agro-ecological niches that suit farmers’ differing needs.

Three years and several months into the fourth year, multi-purpose and high-value trees and shrubs have been integrated into crop and pasture lands through agroforestry and farmer-managed natural regeneration (FMNR), translating to about 20,000 hectares under restoration in various counties by the end of 2020. Farmers invest time and resources in techniques that provide them with good returns on their investment.

To support farmers make the transition to agroforestry, the project uses community-centred approaches, including tree-based value chains (notably fruit and honey), that are integrated with soil and water conservation, reseeding with adaptable grass species and financial mechanisms targeting women and youth.

“Training in on-farm tree planting, covering different types of fruits suited to local climatic conditions, like mangoes, pawpaws and bananas and, most importantly, the short growth span, is what drew my attention and that of other farmers in the area,” noted Charles Odero, a leading farmer from Migori County. “Furthermore, the high yielding production with good returns made it easier to embrace the practices.”

In return, changes in attitudes and behaviours of these beneficiaries transformed them into voices of reason in communities in their capacities as leading farmers and heads of farmers’ groups. Farmers share their knowledge through avenues like exchange visits, community forestry associations, school environmental clubs, churches, farmer/producer groups, youth soccer tournaments, and savings for transformation. Each gathering provides an opportunity for farmers to share knowledge about new varieties and techniques to address poor fertility and increase their household incomes.

“I am very grateful to the project for supporting us through theoretical and practical training,” said Elizabeth Wambui Ngigi, a farmers’ group member. “As members of Githima-Nyakiambi group, our target is to transform our immediate environment by planting indigenous trees which have been entrusted to us. We are also training more groups in our village, with a target of reaching out to at least two other groups each.”

So far, a wide variety of tree species have been planted — Acacia polyacantha, Croton megalocarpus, Azadirachta indica (neem), Markhamia lutea, Olea africana and Cordia africana — and high-value exotic tree species — like Grevillea robusta, Sesbania sesban, Calliandra calothyrsus, Casuarina equisetifolia, Leucaena leucocephala and Moringa oleifera — as well as fruit tree seedlings, such as mango and pawpaw.

Courtesy of the Regreening Africa App (link is external), the project is in the know about the hectares under restoration and households reached. This information informs increases in scale of restoration activities while also increasing adoption in Migori and Homa Bay counties. The app is coupled with other monitoring techniques, such as ground surveys and satellite imagery.

The project has also engaged government agencies and the larger private sector. By engaging with county and national governments and agencies — such as Kenya Forest Service and Kenya Forestry Research Institute — as well as community-based environmental conservation groups and community forest associations, the project widens its reach to many smallholders. The larger private sector is a key player in the restoration process, with companies involved including British American Tobacco, Habex Agro and PARECMA along with commercial banks and micro-finance institutions. The networking pool is helping to narrow financial gaps and paving way for wider adoption.

Press and information team of the Delegation to KENYA
Read further from the link above