This year’s theme for International day for Biological diversity (IDB) is ‘Be part of the plan’. This yearly occasion that is celebrated on 22nd May, was started with the primary goal of safeguarding our ecosystem. As a result, it prompted the signing of international treaties and agreements, acknowledging the significance of biodiversity worldwide. Biodiversity is essential for ecological balance and sustainability. It encompasses of animals, plants and their various habitats like forests and oceans.
IDB is observed in remembrance of the agreement of the Convention on Biological Diversity, (CBD), while also offering remarkable opportunities in a bid to see to it that there is room for more support for the proprieties and interconnected execution framework. Policy makers, members of society, business owners, NGOs, governmental bodies among others are encouraged to take part in the Biodiversity plan; to see to it that our environment is well protected and taken care of for future generations.
The Biodiversity plan aims to ensure that harsh effects of climate change are reversed. Therefore, biodiversity threats like global warming, pollution, loss of natural habitat that leads to elimination of ecological system, raging floods among other disasters; are curbed through the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity framework also referred to as Biodiversity plan.
How has KENAFF taken part in the IDB plan?
The Kenya National Farmers’ Federation (KENAFF) is at the fore front to ensure that the Biodiversity plan is accomplished effectively. Through the KENAFF‘s Farm Forestry Afforestation, Biodiversity and Conservation programme (FFA & BCP) 2021-2030, the Biodiversity plan is being achieved through various activities to ensure that 10 billion trees are planted. This is in line with the government of Kenya’s agenda to plant 15 billion trees by 2032.
KENAFF’s FFA & BCP programme, is a component of pillar 5: Farmer-driven climate action and resilience–building against emergencies and shocks, of the KENAFF strategic plan 2022-2026.
KENAFF has initiated national tree planting weeks that is: the last week of March and first week of April that is March, April and May rainfall cycle (MAM); second and third week in October for October, November and December (OND) rainfall cycle.
To date, KENAFF has planted over 2 million trees of 57 different species in a span of four years. The tree seedlings comprise of 50% indigenous, 30% fruit & fodder and 20% for fast-maturing types. This implementation approach is designed to support the forest reclamation agenda, aiming to improve Kenya’s forest cover by at least 10%. KENAFF has already made significant progress at the county level tree planting events in Bomet, Nakuru, Uasin Gishu, Meru, Nairobi, Taita Taveta and Kirinyaga counties.
Clarion call to farmers
As we observe the international day for Biological diversity, KENAFF calls upon farmers and various stakeholders involved in matters Biodiversity to ensure conservation of biodiversity.