Forestry Training & Finance for 800 Farms in Kenya

INTRODUCTION

Greetings from Drylands Natural Resources Centre (DNRC). We wish to share with us our progress report on forestry training and Finance for 800 farmers working with DNRC. Since inception, the organization has remained focused on her main objectives of environmental regeneration, Economic development as well as community regeneration. Over the years we have continued to build the social fabric of the communities we are working with to continue building a strong bond for development activities. DNRC approaches environmental regeneration through Planting diversified and locally adapted tree species for different purposes. DNRC Farmers are currently reaping several benefits emanating from their tree planting efforts. It ranges from timber and timber products, medicine, fodder, fruits firewood, charcoal, climate change among others. During this reporting period, our farmers were majorly involved in tree seedling issuance, trainings, individual farmers follow –ups, diverse tree seedlings propagation among others. Below are detailed activities during this reporting quarter.

DNRC TREE NURSERY

During this reporting quarter, DNRC staff in charge of DNRC tree nursery was involved in propagation of diverse seedlings in the nursery. Major activities included: tree Seed sawing, pricking out, watering, potting, root pruning and pest and disease control. A total of 20061 diverse seedlings were propagate during the reporting quarter. Some of the species proppagated during this period included: Mangoes, Avocado, sandal wood, custered apple, Cyprus, pawpaw, gravelia, bamboos, ornamentals among others. 

TRAINING AND OUTREACH

During the reporting quarter, the outreach personnel were involved in training farmers majorly on tree gaping since the short rains are majorly on gapping the lost seedlings planted during November- December rainy season.The department was also involved in issuing diverse tree seedlings to the farmers with a total of 8953 seedlings issued to them for planting. The department was also involved with identifying farmers whose trees have gotten to maturity and can sustinably harvested for income.The department was also involved in organizing farmers for other activities  mainly planning meetings for seed fairs and in  preparing for farmers biannual party.

CHALLENGES

During the reporting quarter, we did not experience major challenge since the rains were favorable.

PLAN FOR NEXT QUARTER

• Continue propagating more seedlings to meet our target.
• Continue training farmers on tree management as well as doing individual farmers follow ups