Position Statement - Policy Dialogue Meeting Held on 30th September 2015 at Sai Rock Hotel, Mombasa, Kenya.

Forests make a significant contribution to the sustainable socio-economic development of the country.  It is the responsibility of Forestry Society of Kenya, as a professional body, to guide the standardization of forestry practice in Kenya for sustainable development.The Society organized a forestry dialogue on 30^th September 2015 on the theme "Attainment of 10% tree/forest cover: is Farm Forestry and dryland Forestry the answer?” 

The meeting brought together foresters, researchers, businessmen, representatives of civil society organizations and students. These diverse actors play a direct or indirect role in making significant contributions towards improvement in the management and use of forest and tree resources in ways that effectively support socio-economic development and environmental protection. They represented various institutions which play a central role in forestry training, management and research. These included Universities (University of Eldoret, Kirinyaga University College, Egerton University, and Kenyatta University), Kenya Forest Service and Kenya Forestry Research Institute. The East African Wildlife Society, African Forest Forum, Better Globe Forests, Ministry of Agriculture and County Governments also participated.  

 Concerns/ issues raised and resolutions from the meeting:

The importance of forests and forest ecosystems in biodiversity conservation and livelihood improvement was appreciated. These roles need to be appreciated by government in the form of facilitating programs promoting efficient management, utilization and conservation of forest resources.  At the same time, there is need to increase financing to the public sector, provide incentives to tree/forest growers and support improvement of forest product value chains.  Attainment of the 10% tree/forest cover as stipulated in the national constitution requires commitment by the Government at national level as well as the private sector.

County governments also share the responsibility to attain the 10% tree/forest cover. Farm forestry expansion and management of non-gazetted forests within counties are the mandate of county governments. Many counties, however, have not fully developed the necessary legislation and policies to deliver on the devolved mandates and as a result it was reported that county forest resources are threatened.  A plea was made for counties to domesticate the relevant legislation governing those devolved forest functions from the national legislation.

Tree growing was reported to be a profitable business venture with potential to contribute towards the 10% tree cover.  Trees can be grown on land unsuitable for crop production thus making better use of it.  Tree growers and processors need to be encouraged to form associations for better bargaining power in markets, both locally and abroad.  As a large and important stakeholder in the forestry sector their contribution in development of policies governing the sector should also be sought. It was noted that even though there are incentives already enumerated in relevant policies governing the sector, the problem was failure by relevant government agencies to enforce them.

Resolutions on Way Forward

1. Strengthen mutual cooperation and collaboration between the Government of Kenya and FSK to support capacity building in forest practice. This will take into account available technologies on forest resource establishment, management, monitoring  utilization and marketing
2. FSK shall at all times promote and guard competence, competitiveness and professionalism, in the practice of forestry in the forestry sector
3. The Government in collaboration with FSK to facilitate harmonization and enforcement of  legislation affecting the forest sector
4. The relevant Government Departments to strictly enforce policies that safeguard/conservation of already existing land covered by forests and other land that is not legislated as so.
5. FSK to participate in the review and harmonization of forestry curricular and training offered by various Universities and colleges to ascertain that the courses utilize current available knowledge and are reviewed regularly to accommodate dynamism in the forest sector.
6. Involve forest sector players in the development of land use planning as forests are an important component of land use.
7. Encourage forest growers and forest product processors d to form associations to foster better bargaining power in policy and market development.

By Rosemary Bargerei - FSK journal editor

Mercy Gichora -  FSK scientific and technology committee chairperson