The Principal Deputy to Chief Conservator of Forests Dr. Clement Ng’oriareng’ has today held discussions with technical officers from JICA’s SFS CORECC project led by the Project Manager Ms Beatrice Atemo and the Chief Technical Advisor Mr. Shinji Ogawa.
The discussions centered on the progress the project has made in its implementation and its activities in the project areas. The Project Manager informed the PDCCF that the project was in the process of finalizing two key documents that will guide the management of commercial forestry especially in the semi-arid areas as well the assessment of ecosystem services.
The Guidelines on the Commercial Growing of Melia volkesii Trees in the Drylands of Kenya and the Standard Operating Procedures for the Assessment of Forest Ecosystem Services (FES) will be among the key deliverables of the Project once it concludes in February 2027.
Dr. Ng’orirareng’ who was representing the CCF Mr. Alex Lemarkoko thanked the Project team for their dedication in the implementation of the project’s objectives and especially in the development of the Melia volkensii guidelines which he noted will be a game changer in commercial forestry in the arid areas of the country.
He added that the species popularly known as Mukau had shown great potential for being one of the main commercial tree species in the country.
He noted that the increased growing of the species was contributing to the 15 billion tree growing campaign especially in the drier parts of the country.
The team agreed to plan for the launch of the two documents before the end the of March. Others present during the event were Michiko Mishikawa, Ayaha Mochizuki, Grace Kemunto and Diana Kishiki from the Project as well as DCCF Dr. Thomas Kiptoo and Mr. Evans Maneno from the CCF’s Office.
By Anthony Solly
