 Manager, Jerome Mwanzia has said that the project will build){kind=link}
Kenya: The Green Zones Development Support Project Phase II (GZDSP II) Manager, Jerome Mwanzia has said that the project will build an additional four model tree nurseries with an annual production capacity of 1.5 million seedlings each.
He said the decision is informed by the urgent need to increase seedling species diversity, as well as increase bamboo production for natural forest restoration purposes. The nurseries will be centres of excellence, demonstrating best practices for community groups, learning institutions, entrepreneurs in seedling production, and the Green Army.
The GZDSP II is a five-year project funded through a partnership between the Government of Kenya and the African Development Bank (ADB). The objective of the project is to improve forest conservation and livelihoods for sustainable forest management in 15 counties in Kenya.
The specific objectives are to enhance forest conservation and livelihood support for climate change resilience and to develop timber, bamboo, potato, cereals, and pulses value chains for improved household incomes.
So far, the project has supported the development of one model tree nursery that has provided key lessons in efficiency in tree nursery management and seedling production.
Mwanzia said that the project will also refurbish 138 tree nurseries, to improve the infrastructure to enhance seedlings production.
The project plans to produce 50 million seedlings this financial year towards the attainment of 15 billion seedlings by the year 2032. With the national annual target of 1.5 billion seedlings, the project targets to produce 3.4% of this target.
Mwanzia was speaking in Nyandarua County during an African Development Bank supervision mission. The purpose of the supervision mission that is conducted by officials from the Bank is to monitor project activity implementation progress against the financing agreement.
The supervision team is led by the AfDB Task Manager Agriculture and Environment Portfolio Onesmus Maina, accompanied by Funds Disbursement Official Ms. Kalekye Mwau and Environmental and Social Safeguards Specialist Ms. Winnie Wairimu.