Nairobi: The national government has announced plans to distribute 20,000 avocado and cocoa seedlings to farmers in Kirinyaga County as part of efforts to promote agroforestry, increase household incomes, and accelerate the country’s ambitious tree-growing programme.
According to Kenya News Agency, the Principal Secretary (PS) for Forestry, Gitonga Mugambi, spoke in Kirinyaga, urging Kenyans to embrace agroforestry by planting fruit and other economically valuable trees alongside food crops. He emphasized that trees are not only critical in conserving the environment but also serve as a reliable source of income for families.
The PS highlighted the government’s encouragement for farmers to shift towards tree species that offer both ecological and economic benefits. He noted that fruit trees such as avocado and the introduction of cocoa farming will diversify farmers’ incomes while contributing to increased forest cover.
Mugambi stated, ‘We should plant trees that support life and improve our livelihoods. Trees are wealth because they protect the environment, improve soil fertility, conserve water, provide clean air, and at the same time, generate income for households.’
He revealed that the government is considering cocoa farming in Kirinyaga and other suitable counties after studies showed favorable climatic conditions for the crop. Kirinyaga will be receiving 10,000 avocado seedlings and another 10,000 cocoa seedlings to support farmers interested in commercial tree farming and crop diversification.
The initiative is part of the government’s broader strategy to integrate environmental conservation with economic empowerment by encouraging communities to invest in high-value tree crops that can improve livelihoods while restoring degraded landscapes. Mugambi reiterated the government’s commitment to achieving the national target of planting 15 billion trees by 2032, assigning each county annual targets based on its ecological potential.
Mugambi mentioned that Kirinyaga County has an annual target of planting 7.4 million trees, with nearly half of that target already achieved. He commended residents for their progress but challenged them to intensify tree planting efforts to meet and surpass their annual goal.
The principal secretary urged the Deputy County Commissioner, local administrators, community organizations, and residents to collaborate in mobilizing communities to plant and nurture more trees. He also appealed to citizens to remain patriotic and work together towards national development, stating, ‘We have only one country. Regardless of our differences, we must remain united and work together to build a better Kenya for ourselves and future generations.’
