Timber dealers in Rift Valley have backed DP Rigathi Gachagua announcement that the shamba system would be re-introduced in forests.
It allows farmers to both plant and care for tees and use the sunny space between them to grow food crops. But many times, loggers fell the trees for timber or charcoal deep inside the forest.
Chairman of the Timber Dealers Association in the region Benjamin Kuto said re-introduction of the shamba system in forests was long overdue and that Gachagua’s announcement was welcome.
“As an association, we strongly support the position taken by our DP and the government because there is evidence that it’s the best way to go if we have to increase our forest cover and protect the environment for the benefit of all Kenyans,"Kutu said in a statement.
Kuto said the government should go ahead and lift the moratorium imposed on harvesting in forests. He said the ban was counterproductive as it had created unnecessary friction between parties in the timber and environment sector.
Kuto said once the shamba system is re-introduced, communities, KFS and other stakeholders, including timber dealers will play a critical role in ensuring growth and protection of the forests.
“The current frequent conflicts we see between KFS and communities will be a thing of the past because there will be joint efforts in afforestation, conservation and protection of the forests while at the same time everyone would benefit,” Kuto said.
He said since the ban on farming in forests, planting of trees had not increased as expected because most of the seedlings died due to lack of care, including ploughing.
“If we have the shamba system, community members will grow their food crops and ensure planted seedlings mature safely. The communities will also be able to replace them quickly where the seedlings do not survive," Kuto said.
The association however called for stronger legislation that would enhance relations between stakeholders in the sector to in the management of forests and environment issues.
He said currently, timber dealers are owed millions of shillings by the state but the issue would be resolved once the logging moratorium is lifted and the shamba system re-introduced.
“The net effect of the shamba system is that it will promote protection of forests because communities will own the forests and take responsibility of caring for the entire eco-system, hence, help to improve our environment," Kuto said.
He said county governments should also be involved because they are in-charge of the regions and some of the functions in the sector have been devolved.
(Edited by V. Graham)
