Tree Seedling Demand Surges in Murang’a Amid Short Rains and Government Directive

Murang’a – With the arrival of short rains in Murang’a, there has been a noticeable increase in demand for tree seedlings, as locals heed government directives to plant more trees. This information comes from a spot check by the Kenya News Agency, which also reported that tree nursery attendants are running low on their stock of seedlings.

Local nursery attendant John Githinji stated that the demand for tree seedlings has been especially high since last week, and they may not be able to meet local demand. The most sought-after seedlings are for fruit trees like grafted avocado, macadamia, and pawpaw. Githinji revealed that the ban on polythene papers has presented a challenge in growing adequate seedlings. Currently, attendants are using empty cement bags and worn-out sacks for this purpose. Githinji called on the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) to suggest alternative bags that can be used for growing seedlings, citing the current lack of proper materials as a reason for seedling shortages.

The spike in seedling demand is concurrent with the government’s ambitious plan to plant more than 10 million trees within the next five years. In a related development, Murang’a County Ecosystem Conservator Lucy Njoroge urged residents to consult the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) for advice on suitable tree types for their specific environments. Njoroge pointed out that many trees fail to mature because they are not well-suited to the local conditions.

Njoroge also disclosed that KFS aims to increase tree cover in Murang’a County to 30% by year’s end, capitalizing on the current rains. The present state of tree and forest cover in the county stands at 27% and 16.68%, respectively.