First ever National Tree Nursery Associations Workshop held in Kenya

“The time has come for us to unite and address our challenges together as tree nursery

operators”. This is the statement done by about 120 participants, women and men, ranging from

tree nursery operators, agro-forestry farmer groups, county government and national regulatory

and research institutions, national and international development organizations gathered on 22

- 23 February, 2017 in Nakuru, Kenya to discuss challenges and opportunities for tree nursery

enterprises in Kenya. The event was organized by FAO, Forest and Farm Facility (FFF) in

partnership with Kenya Forest Service (KFS), Farm Forestry Smallholders Producer Association of

Kenya (FF-SPAK), Nakuru County Tree Nursery Association (NCTNA) and We Effect.

Kenya has witnessed the proliferation of tree nurseries across the country, especially around

urban areas. The increase in tree nursery production has been attributed to increased demand

as result of growing environmental awareness and adoption of agroforestry practices. The

emerging enterprise is providing income and employment opportunities to thousands of Kenyans

and the potential is huge. However, the small-scale tree nursery operators have been facing

policy, institutional, technological and socio-economic related challenges. Tecla Chumba, tree

farmer and treasurer of National Alliance of Community Forest Associations (NACOFA) called

upon the government agencies to provide viable business enabling conditions for tree nursery

operators to be able to achieve their objectives.

One of the key challenge is the accessibility to quality seeds that would guarantee better

productivity. Other critical challenge of tree nursery operators is the lack of structured market

and undeveloped value chain.

As a way forward the participants agreed (i) to undertake an inventory of tree nursery operators

at County and National level and mobilize all tree nursery operators to gather themselves and

stablish viable business entities like county associations, and (ii) to organize a National meeting

in three months’ time to review the progress of formation of county associations.

A Declaration by Tree Nursery Operators

During the First Tree Nursery Workshop Held at Jumuia Resort in Nakuru on 22nd -23rd February, 2017 (Nakuru Declaration)

Strength in Numbers - The time has come for us to unite and address together our challenges as tree nursery operators

We, the tree nursery operators from counties all over Kenya contribute greatly to the tree

seedlings/germplasm planted in private and public land across the country. We have always been

and continue to be key investors in the country’s forestry sector and contributing significantly to

rural economic development, food security, environmental protection, and other benefits for

individuals, communities and the nation as a whole.

Recognizing the need to work closely with all government agencies both at County and National

levels, and appreciating the constitutional requirement of Article 69 to have a minimum 10%

forest cover and other international obligations to better environment for all.

Realizing the opportunities that abound and the challenges that need to be overcome. Aware of

the benefits of identifying and forging appropriate partnerships with all stakeholders and

appreciating the support from Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) through Farm and Forest

Facility (FFF).

To continue contributing to the development of our communities, creating employment for our

people and strengthening local economies we make a declaration to:

1. Appeal to government agencies to recognize the contribution made by tree nursery

operators in food security, socio-economic development and provision of environmental

services

2. Petition government agencies at national and county level to facilitate enabling

environment for tree nursery operators to achieve their goals.

3. Promote use of high quality seeds and other planting materials for establishment of high

quality tree nurseries in order to improve tree productivity

4. Undertake to create county associations that will bring together interested tree nursery

operators in respective counties to champion their interests.

Photos