Plant trees yes, but get right species for each area to restore biodiversity

As Kenya and many other parts of the globe grapple with the effects of climate change, there has been a growing call to plant trees in large numbers.

However, while tree planting is essential, it is even more critical to ensure that the right species are planted in areas where they can best survive and thrive.

In 2022, the government launched an initiative to plant of 15 billion trees by 2032. The move is aimed at reducing greenhouse emissions, stopping and reversing deforestation and, restoring 5.1 million hectares of deforested and degraded landscapes.

The government’s initiative aligns with ongoing efforts by various organisations, including the Alliance Bioversity and International Centre for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), which have been working on projects like My Farm Trees.

To increase tree cover and restore biodiversity, the Alliance Bioversity and CIAT, in partnership with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and financially supported by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), launched the My Farm Trees project in 2022, a revolutionary project that aims to support smallholder farmers tree planting efforts by providing quality planting materials and giving cash incentives to the farmers for their efforts and contributions to addressing climate change impacts.

The My Farm Trees project is currently in its pilot phase, with initiatives underway in Siaya, Turkana, and Laikipia counties in Kenya, as well as in Cameroon. However, the project holds immense potential for expansion to other counties through a crowdsourcing program that is being concurrently tested during this pilot phase.

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This crowdsourcing approach could facilitate the project's scalability and widespread adoption, leveraging the power of community engagement and collaborative efforts.

At the core of the project is the My Farm Tree App, a digital platform that streamlines the onboarding of farmers and other stakeholders like tree nursery owners and tree seed collectors. Once on board, their farms are mapped, and trees registered. Through the App, farmers can monitor and report progress by taking photographs of the growing trees in the field through the app.

A component of the app includes a gamification whereby farmers are rewarded with “my miti points” for participating in the restoration challenges set up on the platform. The accumulated points can be converted to cash earnings that forms part of the incentives sent to the farmer’s Mpesa every six months over the project period.

To ensure this is verifiable and that only rightful farmers are rewarded, the platform has incorporated the use of blockchain technology.

Since the project was rolled out, over 1,300 farmers have been registered on My Farm Tree platform and over 100,000 seedlings comprising over 30 different species have been planted across the three counties.

In addition to their adaptability, native trees play a crucial role in conserving local biodiversity. They provide essential habitats and food sources for indigenous wildlife, including birds, insects, and other animals, therefore supporting the entire ecosystem.

The presence of native trees fosters a balanced and stable environment where various species can coexist and thrive. These trees have evolved to thrive in specific climates, soils, and environmental settings, requiring less intervention such as watering and fertilisation compared to the exotic species. Native trees are also generally more resistant to local pests and diseases, having developed natural defenses over time.

This natural resilience makes them more likely to survive and flourish, contributing to a healthier and more sustainable ecosystem.

There are also cultural and economic benefits to planting native trees. Many native species hold cultural significance and are deeply intertwined with the heritage and traditions of local communities. They provide resources such as vegetables, fruits, nuts, medicines, and timber that are well-suited to the local environment, offering economic opportunities and supporting livelihoods.

The My Farm Trees project collaborates with the Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI) to provide technical assistance to local tree nurseries in the three regions. This support includes training on producing quality planting materials, starting with the collection of the most appropriate and diverse seeds.

To foster learning and knowledge exchange, the My Farm Trees platform integrates robust information exchange features, including a farmer-to-farmer exchange and extension services modeled as a chatbot.

This innovative feature empowers farmers to raise queries, share experiences, and receive timely responses from their peers, registered extension officers, and experts from KEFRI, cultivating a collaborative learning environment and addressing challenges promptly.

Working in the three counties is also a learning journey which gives opportunities for further research. It is still a mystery for example, that trees in Turkana are growing at a pace twice faster than those in Siaya, especially considering the differences in climate conditions of the two regions.

- National Lead, My Farm Trees at Alliance Bioversity and CIAT