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Tree seed production, distribution and trade for commercial tree species | |
| Author(s): | William Omondi*, Benard Kamondo, Jane Njuguna and James Kimondo Kenya Forestry Research Institute, P.O.Box: 20412-00200, Nairobi, Kenya * Author of correspondence: womondi@kefri.org |
| Abstract: |
There has been an increase in establishment of exotic plantations of commercial species over the years in Kenya. These species were introduced during the colonial days. However, after the establishment of the Kenya Forestry Seed Centre in 1986, the species range increased to include some indigenous species such as Markhamia lutea and Melia volkensii for high/lowland and dry land areas, respectively. Kenya’s blueprints in the forestry sector including the National Forestry Programme (2016) and the National 10% Tree Cover Strategy (2019) recognize the importance of high-quality tree seeds. In order to achieve some of the objectives of these policies, the estimated requirement of seeds to attain 10% forest cover by 2030 requires an annual production of about 360,000 kg seeds translating to 1.8 billion seedlings. The implication of this is that stakeholders in forestry sector need to be informed on high quality production of germplasm of different species in various sites and access. This paper therefore reviews the status of seed production, distribution, and trade for commercial tree species in Kenya. The main trees seed producer in Kenya is KEFRI among other emerging stakeholders in the forestry sector. KEFRI undertakes collections of high-quality seeds from established seed orchards (SO), seed stands (ESS), Selected Seed Stands (SSS), plantations and natural forests. The genetic gain from seed orchards estimated up to 67% have been achieved through improvement of some species such as Eucalyptus. grandis. Given that the process of tree breeding is expensive and time consuming, it is difficult to meet seed demand for commercial tree species exclusively from seed orchards. This category of seeds together with those collected from selected well performing stands in plantations and in natural stands and which have been managed for production of seeds of high genetic quality form the bulk of KEFRI’s collections. Collected seeds are subjected to laboratory quality tests to ascertain their physiological, health and physical quality (absence of inert materials and seed of other species including weeds). Upon certifying acceptable standards, the seeds undergo packaging, labelling and distribution to users for various planting programmes. Seed production and supply chain is currently governed by the Seeds and Plant varieties Act (CAP 326) and the resultant Tree Seed Regulations. Training and education for development of skills and advisory services are important links in the seed supply chain. These are undertaken at all levels from academic (learning Institutions) purposes and to other stakeholders including community groups in seed production. |
| KeyWords: | Seed production, seed producers, seed certification, Kenya Forestry Seed Centre |
| Presentation Links: | |
TopicInfoForm edit
| topictitle | Tree seed production, distribution and trade for commercial tree species |
| type | PowerPointPresentations |
| thematicarea | FPD, FPI, SPG |
| researchprogramme | CHERP, CERP, DERP, LVBERP, NFPRP, RVERP |
| project | KCFICE |
| author | William Omondi*, Benard Kamondo, Jane Njuguna and James Kimondo Kenya Forestry Research Institute, P.O.Box: 20412-00200, Nairobi, Kenya * Author of correspondence: womondi@kefri.org |
| summary | There has been an increase in establishment of exotic plantations of commercial species over the years in Kenya. These species were introduced during the colonial days. However, after the establishment of the Kenya Forestry Seed Centre in 1986, the species range increased to include some indigenous species such as Markhamia lutea and Melia volkensii for high/lowland and dry land areas, respectively. Kenya’s blueprints in the forestry sector, including the National Forestry Programme (2016) ... |
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Topic revision: r1 - 25 Nov 2021, VictorKamau
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