Forestry Training & Finance for 800 Farms in Kenya

INTRODUCTION

Greetings from Drylands Natural Resources Centre (DNRC) Fraternity. We are happy to share with us our quarterly report on forestry training and Finance for the 800 smallholders farmers working with DNRC.Your generous and continued support enable us to continue to support Our 800 plus farmers on training and tree planting for both economic, social and environmental benefits.In terms of environmental regeneration, the diverse tree species planted continued to fodder, fuel, fruits, timber and non-timber products as well as creating microclimate and soil building.In terms of economic, older planted trees farmers continued to benefit from sale of fruits and sale of Moringa seeds and leave powder.Farmers also continued to strengthen their social fabric by working and planting trees together as well as benefiting from the green cool microclimate created by planted trees.

During this 3 months period, DNRC staff were mainly involved in issuing of diverse tree seedlings to both the schools we work with and also farmers groups to plant in their individual farms during March-April 2025 rains.More focus was also on  propagating different tree species in our mega tree nursery for October-December 2025 rains. Below are detailed activities during the reporting quarter.

 DNRC TREE NURSERY

During the reporting quarter, the staff in charge of DNRC tree nursery were busy propagating different tree species towards meeting our target for the coming planting season of November - December rains.They were involved in Seed sowing, pricking , watering, weeding, potting, arranging of pots among others. The following different tree species were propagated during this period: Mangoes, Gravellia, eucalyptus, Citrus, pawpaw, Senna siemea. Croton, Vanguaria, Avocado, neem, goose berry, pomegranate, Mulberry, Purple passion and  yellow passion making a total of 30, 109 seedlings being propagated during this period

 TRAINING AND OUTREACH

During this reporting period, DNRC team in charge of the outreach and training was involved in mobilizing and training farmers mostly on gaping the lost seedlings in the previous rain season as well as introducing the newly recruited farmers on woodlot establishment. The team was also involved in issuance of tree seedlings to both schools and the farmer groups to plant during March-April rains. A total of 8,607 seedlings were issued and planted  both in schools and in farmers farms.

CHALLENGES

During the reporting quarter, the major challenge was on transport of seedlings to the schools and to farmers farms-since everybody wants to plant immediately when the rains come and we only one pick up which is not enough.

PLANS FOR THE NEXT QUARTER

•  To continue propagating more seedlings to meet our target 100,000 yearly target
•  To continue training farmers and follow ups