Farmers in Trans Nzoia County have received a significant boost following the distribution of coffee and fruit seedlings under the government’s nationwide tree-growing initiative.
Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, Deborah Barasa, said the program is part of Kenya’s ambitious plan to grow 15 billion trees by 2032 to restore degraded landscapes and enhance climate resilience.
“We are implementing a 15 billion tree-growing campaign by 2032, which will restore over 10.6 million hectares of land,” said Barasa during the distribution exercise.
Barasa emphasized that the success of the initiative depends on nationwide participation across sectors, including farmers, students, security agencies, and county governments.
She noted that if each of Kenya’s estimated 6 million farmers plants 20 seedlings, the country could achieve 120 million trees.
Similarly, with over 16 million learners each planting 10 seedlings, an additional 160 million trees could be realized.
Further contributions from government institutions and counties are expected to significantly accelerate progress.
Barasa added that coordinated efforts during the current rainy season alone could yield over 500 million seedlings.
Trans Nzoia County has already made notable strides, with more than 20 million seedlings grown and protected so far.
To ensure sustainability, the ministry is working with key agencies, including the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Cooperatives, to improve the production and distribution of high-quality seedlings.
As part of the program, over 157,000 coffee seedlings have been distributed to farmers in the county, with plans to scale up to more than 1.3 million seedlings.
In addition, farmers have received more than 28,000 avocado seedlings and macadamia seedlings, which are expected to enhance household incomes through value addition and access to export markets.
“We encourage farmers to plant and properly manage the seedlings. Tree growing not only supports environmental conservation but also provides long-term economic benefits,” she said.
Trans Nzoia Coffee Union Chairman, Alfred Muse, welcomed the initiative, saying it will help address long-standing challenges in coffee farming.
“As a union representing 32 cooperative societies, we are distributing these seedlings to farmers across the county. This support will significantly improve coffee production,” said Muse.
He highlighted the shortage and high cost of seedlings as a major barrier to expansion.
“A single coffee seedling can cost up to KSh 50 in private nurseries. For a farmer planting 500 seedlings, that translates to about KSh 25,000, which is unaffordable for many,” he noted.
