Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST) targets to promote the planting of Tamarind trees in all the 21 hilltops in Siaya County.
According to the university’s lead Research Fellow Dr Joseph Ndaga, the university has earmarked the planting of Tamarind trees to mitigate climate change and for its high medicinal value.
Dr Ndaga stated that the university is engaged in a lot of initiatives to support the County Government of Siaya and the growth of Tamarind trees on the hill tops will go a long way in boosting the forest cover in the region, which is currently below 2 per cent.
“Once grown, the Tamarind trees will last for the next 75 years which will guarantee forest cover and mitigate climate change,” said Ndaga, adding that five years after the planting, they will bear fruits which have medicinal value used for Diabetes and Cancer treatment.
The research fellow observed that only three out of the 21 hill tops in the region are gazetted and therefore asked the county and national governments to work hand in hand to ensure the remaining are officially recognized in time before the commencement of the project early next year.
“The gazettement of the hill tops is necessary to ensure protection of the planted trees by providing fencing to avert encroachment into the conservation areas,” Odhiambo stated.
The project proposed by the university will be funded by USAID and France to a tune of Ksh2 million Euros.
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