By Boniface Mulu
Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI) Kitui Regional Research Centre has launched the organization’s indigenous fruit trees gardens programme for primary schools in Kitui County.
The move by KEFRI is as a result of the directive by Environment and Forestry Cabinet Secretary Keriako Tobiko that all of KEFRI’s six eco region programmes should launch the programme.
The programme’s objectives is to deal with the climate change crisis and food security issues in the country.
The centre launched the programme by planting 1,000 indigenous fruit and timber tree seedlings in ten public primary schools: Nzinia, Mbuini, Nyuani, Kiatine and Kyukuni Primary Schools in Kitui West District and Muslim, Kwa Ngindu, Kwa Ukungu, Umuu and Ngiini Primary Schools in Kitui Central District.
Each learning institution received 60 indigenous fruits and 40 timber fruits. The indigenous fruits were the Tamarindus indica, Vitex payos, Syziium guinesee and Xymenia americana.
KEFRI Kitui Regional Research Centre official Bernard Kimani Kigwa educated the pupils and teachers on various tree species and the areas they grow in. He further added that KEFRI is trying to increase Kenya’s forest cover by all means.
“Kitui County’s forest cover stands at 7.2 per cent,” he said.
He lauded Japanese for their exemplary commitment towards environmental conservation.
“The country is trying to achieve the 10 per cent national forest cover. Japan’s forest cover is over 75 per cent,” he said.
He added that KEFRI educates people on sustainable charcoal burning for environmental conservation.
The officer said wanton destruction of trees and forests by humans has greatly contributed to the climate change crisis in the country.
“Let us be environment conscious,” Kigwa added. “Climate change is real,”
He talked about the importance of spacing in tree planting.
“If you use large holes, tree roots can follow and obtain water and nutrients from the soil for the tree’s growth,” the official said.
KEFRI Kitui Regional Research Centre, headquartered in Kitui town, covers 13 counties: Kitui, Marsabit, Garissa, Machakos, Makueni, Kajiado, Embu, Tana River, Lamu, Taita Taveta, Wajir, Meru and Mandera.
KEFRI’s six Eco-Region Programmes are the National Forestry Products Research Programme (NFPRP) Karura, Dryland Eco-Region Programme (DERP) Kitui, Rift Valley Eco-Region Programme (RVERP) Londiani, Lake Region Eco-Region Programme (LRERP) Maseno, Coast Eco-Region Programme (CERP) Malindi and Central Highlands Eco-Region Programme (CHERP) Muguga.
