Sharing our experience and knowledge for the benefits of others.

KENYA

On-Farm Tree Project

(benefitting people and environment)

Although Kenya was once a country rich in trees, the forests have become critically depleted from generations of intrusion by both individuals and commercial concerns. Trees provide wood for fuel and building materials as well as providing wind breaks and shade. They also control soil erosion and mitigate nutrient runoff into streams. If the forest is damaged, there will be increasing risks of flood during the rainy season and of drought during the dry season. In Kenya the loss of trees has been devastating. Nowadays Kenya has only 1% of forest cover. It is necessary to protect remaining forests in Kenya and promote reforestation to at least the 10% recommended for a healthy environment.

The “On-farm tree project” is based on supporting small farmers in establishing on-farm tree nurseries, growing indigenous and nitrogen fixing trees. To reach sustainable firewood production it is necessary to reduce its consumption. Solar cookers can fully replace cooking fuel during sunny days and clay stoves use only one third of firewood compare to an open fire. Promoting these simple and cheap technologies will increase living standard of the people, mitigate health impacts of breathing indoor smoke and protect the environment of the Kakamega North district. Another motivation for this project is the protection of remaining indigenous forests especially the famous Kakamega Forest with its unique biodiversity. Currently the “On-farm tree project” is in its fundraising and initiation phase.

The foundation collaborator Tomas Miler (from Masaryk University) monitored the environmental situation and energy crises in Western Kenya during the last two summers. The potential of solar cookers, clay stoves and multipurpose trees was tested and proved. After this research we defined environmental issues and suggested potential solutions. There is a serious fuel shortage in rural households. Mostly firewood is used to cook food and heat houses but it is burned inefficiently in traditional three stone fires. Because of high population growth and socio-cultural aspects firewood is not produced at a sufficient rate. This leads to rapid deforestation and rising prices of firewood and charcoal.

Local partners of the project are organizations experienced in this field: The Malava Development Organization (MDO) and the Kakamega Environmental Education Program (KEEP).

YES, I WANT TO SUPPORT THIS PROJECT IN KENYA.

Kontakty