Seed ball technology gains popularity in Molo, helps restore Mau Forest

While it is our individual responsibility to plant trees for the conservation of our environment we must admit, it is usually a tedious task.

Perhaps that is why a lot of us use tree planting holidays as ‘siku za sherehe’.

But farmers from Mariashoni ward in Molo sub-county have figured out a more efficient method to safeguard the forest and encourage the planting of indigenous trees in the Mau ecosystem.

This initiative aims to restore part of the forest, which has been devastated by extensive deforestation and human encroachment.

Through the use of seed balls, farmers are now able to plant trees easily by broadcasting/ throwing the seeds in their farms and hard to reach areas in the forest and wait for the right conditions to germinate.

A seed ball, is seed coated with charcoal dust which protects the seed from extreme weather and predators like birds and rodents. Usually the seed is of an indigenous tree which could make very good high protein fodder crops for livestock.

Additionally, they are incorporating the planting of fruit tree seedlings like avocado amidst their crops to help improve their livelihoods, income and promote agroforestry.

Agroforestry is where crops and trees grow together.

Charles Ruto narrates how the mau ecosystem has changed over time with commercial trees replacing the indigenous ones, which has led to them experiencing the devastating effects of climate change.

“We’ve been planting blue gum trees for commercial purposes and felling them for charcoal and timber which has left our land bare and overtime reduced rains. Now that we are getting and planting these indigenous trees we will be able to get feed for our livestock which will improve our animal produce,” he says.

Elphas Masanga, an Advocacy, Networking, and Communications Officer at Slow Food Kenya notes that as part of Mau Forest ecosystem conservation and restoration, they are using the seed ball technique to promote agro forestry.

He notes that the specific trees and seedlings farmers have received, will help fix nitrogen in the soil- bringing life back to depleted soils.