KATRESNO KATRESNO (Kenya Association of Tree (Kenya Association of Tree

Seeds and Nursery Operators)Seeds and Nursery Operators)

Seed Distribution in Central/Rift Valley Regions – Seed Distribution in Central/Rift Valley Regions – KenyaKenya

BY: Simon N.GithamboBY: Simon N.Githambo

Member of KATRESNO &Member of KATRESNO &

Community Development Trainer (Tree is life Community Development Trainer (Tree is life project) project)

AREAS OF OPERATIONAREAS OF OPERATION

Nyandarua north and Nyandarua South Nyandarua north and Nyandarua South districtsdistricts

Laikipia East and Laikipia West districtsLaikipia East and Laikipia West districts

WHY DISTRIBUTE SEEDS AND WHY DISTRIBUTE SEEDS AND SEEDLINGS ?SEEDLINGS ?

To enable farmers start tree nurseries as an To enable farmers start tree nurseries as an income generating enterpriseincome generating enterpriseImprove the dairy farming by introduction of Improve the dairy farming by introduction of fodder shrubsfodder shrubsSource of incomeSource of incomeTo promote tree planting for sustainability of To promote tree planting for sustainability of valuable tree products valuable tree products Create awareness on environmental Create awareness on environmental conservationconservation

HOW TO MAINTAIN QUALITY HOW TO MAINTAIN QUALITY SEEDSSEEDS

By carrying out simple test i.e. Viability, By carrying out simple test i.e. Viability, moisture, maturity and impuritymoisture, maturity and impurity

Ensuring that they are from the right Ensuring that they are from the right source ( source ( Right number of trees to avoid inter-breedingRight number of trees to avoid inter-breeding))

Educate the seed harvestersEducate the seed harvesters

Source seeds from trained collectorsSource seeds from trained collectors

TYPE OFSEEDSTYPE OFSEEDS

Indigenous - Indigenous - Prunus africanaPrunus africana, , Cordia Cordia abyssinicaabyssinica, , accaciaaccacia spp, spp, Olea africanaOlea africana

Exotics - Exotics - Grevillea robustaGrevillea robusta ,cypress, ,cypress, eucalyptus, Mexican Green-ash.eucalyptus, Mexican Green-ash.

Fodder shrubs - Fodder shrubs - Sesbania sesbanSesbania sesban, tree , tree lucerne, calliandra and leucaena spp. lucerne, calliandra and leucaena spp.

DISTRIBUTION APPROACHDISTRIBUTION APPROACH

Through extension institutions – govt, and NGOs, Through extension institutions – govt, and NGOs,

Dairy cooperatives and societies Dairy cooperatives and societies

Commercial tree nurseries operators Commercial tree nurseries operators

Self help groups Self help groups

IndividualsIndividuals

Note: Awareness created through media such as Note: Awareness created through media such as newspapers, radio and other media newspapers, radio and other media

CHALLENGES IN DISTRIBUTIONCHALLENGES IN DISTRIBUTIONLack of awareness about the seed sourcesLack of awareness about the seed sources

Consumer past experience i.e. provided with Consumer past experience i.e. provided with poor quality seeds by dishonest individuals poor quality seeds by dishonest individuals

Low returns from seed sales Low returns from seed sales

Insufficient supply of quality seedsInsufficient supply of quality seeds

Lack of technical knowledge on establishment Lack of technical knowledge on establishment and management of tree nurseries and management of tree nurseries

Limited knowledge on tree valuesLimited knowledge on tree values