Kilifi County Ecosystem Conservation Officer Ms Nafasi Mfahaya addressing journalists in her office on Monday, October 2, 2017. [Photo/ Roberto Muyela]
The national government is set to establish a model tree nursery and training center in Kilifi town, to train farmers on how to produce quality seedlings free from diseases and pests.
After the training, farmers will be able to nurture quality seedlings for sale and for planting in local farms.The model facility envisages empowering Coast region farmers with environmental management skills in a bid to increase forest cover up to 10 per cent, which will be in line with Kenya’s vision 2030.Addressing journalists in her office on Monday, Kilifi County Ecosystem Conservation Officer Nafasi Mfahaya said the government has already signed a deal with a contractor to implement the project.Nafasi revealed that all procurement procedures have been completed, adding that bush clearing has already commenced on a 3-acre plot.The nursery area will cover an area of 100 by 100m.Nafasi said the forest department was keen on supporting sustainable forest management through sensitization and promotion of commercial forestry. The project is expected to produce one million seedlings ranging from indigenous, fruit trees, exotic trees and ornamental trees.With an area of 4,878 square kilometres, Kilifi County has a forest cover of 4.1 per cent, which translates to nearly 22,262 hectares.