Rigathi Gachagua, the deputy president, has accused the media of misquoting him when discussing the shamba system.
Speaking at the Nairobi Trade Fair’s official opening at the Jamhuri grounds, the second in command also purchased a bull for Sh1.3 million at the livestock auction.
“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.
“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, which stands for Plantation Establishment for Livelihood Improvement Scheme or non-resident cultivation (NRC).
The colonial administration established the system in Kenya in 1910 to supply raw materials for the timber industry while reducing pressure on natural forests.
It is implemented by the KFS and entails allocating farmers shambas (small plots) in degraded forests to plant and care for tree seedlings while cultivating their crops for nine months.
The KFS provides the seedlings, while the farmers provide labor in exchange for the product they harvest.
Farmers leave once the trees mature and farming becomes untenable. It’s essentially a win-win situation.
