KATRESNO (Kenya Association of Tree Seeds and Nursery Operators)

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KATRESNO (Kenya Association of Tree Seeds and
Nursery Operators)

• Seed Distribution in Central/Rift Valley Regions
  Kenya
• BY Simon N.Githambo
• Member of KATRESNO
• Community Development Trainer (Tree is life
  project)

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AREAS OF OPERATION

• Nyandarua north and Nyandarua South districts
• Laikipia East and Laikipia West districts

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WHY DISTRIBUTE SEEDS AND SEEDLINGS ?

• To enable farmers start tree nurseries as an
  income generating enterprise
• Improve the dairy farming by introduction of
  fodder shrubs
• Source of income
• To promote tree planting for sustainability of
  valuable tree products
• Create awareness on environmental conservation

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HOW TO MAINTAIN QUALITY SEEDS

• By carrying out simple test i.e. Viability,
  moisture, maturity and impurity
• Ensuring that they are from the right source (
  Right number of trees to avoid inter-breeding)
• Educate the seed harvesters
• Source seeds from trained collectors

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TYPE OFSEEDS

• Indigenous - Prunus africana, Cordia abyssinica,
  accacia spp, Olea africana
• Exotics - Grevillea robusta ,cypress,
  eucalyptus, Mexican Green-ash.
• Fodder shrubs - Sesbania sesban, tree lucerne,
  calliandra and leucaena spp.

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DISTRIBUTION APPROACH

• Through extension institutions govt, and NGOs,
• Dairy cooperatives and societies
• Commercial tree nurseries operators
• Self help groups
• Individuals
• Note Awareness created through media such as
  newspapers, radio and other media

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CHALLENGES IN DISTRIBUTION

• Lack of awareness about the seed sources
• Consumer past experience i.e. provided with poor
  quality seeds by dishonest individuals
• Low returns from seed sales
• Insufficient supply of quality seeds
• Lack of technical knowledge on establishment and
  management of tree nurseries
• Limited knowledge on tree values