I was misquoted on opening forests for farming - Gachagua

Deputy President  Rigathi Gachagua has accused the media of misquoting him on the issue of shamba system.

"While in Baringo last week, I spoke about Government's intention to start an afforestation program. I urge the media to report objectively," he said.

The DP spoke during the official opening of the Nairobi Trade Fair at the Jamhuri ground, where he bought a bull at Sh1.3 million at the livestock auction.

"I meant the Government will engage farmers to plant trees as they grow crops and then vacate once the trees have matured," said Gachagua.

"We will work with farmers to do afforestation on gazetted reserves."

But what exactly is the shamba system?

Shamba is the Swahili word for farm. The system is also known as Pelis, short for Plantation Establishment for Livelihood Improvement Scheme or non-resident cultivation (NRC).

The colonial administration introduced the system in Kenya in 1910 to provide raw materials for the timber industry and reduce pressure on natural forests.

It's implemented by the KFS and it entails allocating farmers shambas (small plots) in degraded forests to plant and tend to tree seedlings as they cultivate their crops for nine months.

The seedlings are provided by the KFS while the farmers provide labour whose pay is the product they will harvest.

Once the trees mature and farming becomes untenable, the farmers move out. Basically, it's a win-win arrangement.