Forestry Training & Finance for 800 Farms in Kenya

INTRODUCTION

Greetings from Drylands Natural Resources Centre (DNRC) family, we are happy to once again share our progress report with us. Drylands Natural Resources Centre has endeavoured to achieve her goals towards community sustainability through environmental regeneration, economic development and community regeneration over the years. So far, over 800 farmers and 18 schools have been mobilized and they continue to be trained through DNRC on different aspects of permaculture / agro ecology ranging from; woodlots, food forests, drylands strategies etc.  Over the years, planted trees have grown to maturity and they continue to give eco system services and some are harvested for their economic value thus farmers slowly starting to build their income. DNRC is also keen on promoting indigenous tree species since they serve better in this time of climate change challenges. We can only say thank you so much for your continued support which has played a role towards this achievement. Through our intense trainings and community lead activities, the social fabric of the community is more strong and the community is well organized and thus able to understand their challenges better and continue to address them accordingly.

This being the very last quarter of the year in terms of tree propagation, we majorly embarked on massive diverse seedlings propagation in our tree nursery so as to meet our target of 100,000 diverse tree seedlings. We were also busy recruiting and training especially new farmers on woodlot establishment as well as doing individual farmer follow ups to monitor their readiness as we expect elevated October-December rains. There is prediction of Elnino this season.

Below are detailed activities over the reporting quarter.

DNRC TREE NURSERY

During this reporting period, our major activities in the nursery included: potting, transplanting, watering, root pruning and Integrated Pest Management (IPM).  So far a total of 34 different tree species have been propagated and they include; Melia vonkensii, Eucalyptus camandulenses, Gravelia rubosta, Senna siemea, Moringa oleifera, Avocado, Mangoes, Balanities egyptica, Guavas, Croton megalocupus, Syzigium guminii, Vanguaria, Snot apple, pawpaw, Tamaridus indica, pomegranade, Acacia xanthopolea,  Cypress, Casurina, Banana Passion, sweet yellow passion, Purple passion, luceana, Cashew nuts, Senna spectabilis,Delbergia, Mulberry, Lemon, Vitex payos, k- apple, Taminalia brownie e.t.c

Currently a total of 109, 997 of the above diverse seedlings have been propagated and they continue to be taken care of in the nursery awaiting issuance immediately the rains start this month.

DNRC TRAINING AND OUTREACH PROGRAM

During the reporting quarter, our training and outreach personnel were involved in training our groups majorly focusing on the new farmers as they orientate them on woodlot establishment. A total of 76 new farmers have been mobilized and recruited to join DNRC. They will continue getting trainings and especially hole preparations just before the onset of the rains.

During the reporting quarter other activities like summit have continued to take place in preparation of the end of year farmers get together party which is scheduled for early December 2023.

Through DNRC, farmers also had the seed fair activity with the aim of getting more of our indigenous seeds to multiply since they are resistance to the issues related to climate change. A total of 60 farmers brought different indigenous seeds which were received , labelled and persevered through indigenous methods like: use of Ash, hot pepper, cow dug and stored in calabashes to prevent them from light.

CHALLENGES

This being our driest period of the year, we had a major challenge of water for the tree nursery since DNRC has no permanent water source. We continue to appeal for a borehole.

FOCUS FOR THE NEXT QUARTER

• General tree nursery management before the rains
• Transplanting of more seedlings in the seedbeds.
• Continue training and farmers follow ups
• Seedling issuance to the farmers