THE SORRY STATE. DWINDLING COVER

Counties in the Lake Victoria basin have some of the lowest forest covers nationally, signalling the strain on the region’s ecosystem.

Forested catchments are key for the supply of a large proportions of water for domestic and agricultural use. Isiolo has the highest forest cover with more than half of the county covered by trees while Kisumu has the least cover.

Statistics from the Kenya Open Data portal shows that Isiolo has 1.35 million hectares of forest cover against its total land mass of 2.5 million hectares which translates to 53.45 per cent.

The lakeside county of Kisumu on the other hand has 1,184 hectares of forest cover, which is 0.44 per cent of its total land mass of 267,000ha.

Homabay, Mombasa, Siaya, Busia, Migori, Kisii and Vihiga,  follow Kisumu in that order as the least forested despite receiving substantial amounts of rain.

The data highlights the strain of heavy settlements and agricultural activities on tree cover as the country struggles to attain the set target of 10 per cent forest cover.

“The current forest cover of  7.24 per cent of the land area of the country is still below the constitutional requirement of 10 per cent,” the 2015 National Forest Policy says.

Kenya has a wide array of forest ecosystems ranging from mountain rainforests, savannah woodlands, and coastal forests and mangroves. Nyeri is the second most forested county after Isiolo with 38 per cent of its total land mass under continuous tree canopy.
Other counties around Mt Kenya area also have a high forest cover with Kirinyaga at 20.6 per cent, Nyandarua (18.44 per cent) and Meru (18.3 per cent).

The Rift Valley highlands also have a high tree cover with Elgeyo Marakwet having a forest cover of 37.4 per cent, Nandi (26.2 per cent) and Baringo (25.1 per cent).

The arid counties of Garissa, Mandera and Wajir have a higher forest cover than other well-watered areas. Nairobi, the capital city, has a forest cover of 7.78 per cent.

Forestry was devolved under the 2010 Constitution putting the responsibility of increasing forest cover under the 47 devolved units.
Forests play critical ecological, social, cultural, and economic functions.

“They contribute directly and indirectly to the national and local economies through revenue generation and wealth creation, and it is estimated that forestry contributes to 3.6 per cent of Kenya’s GDP, excluding charcoal and direct subsistence uses,” the policy says.
“Biomass comprises about 80 per cent of all energy used in the country, while they also provide a variety of goods, which support subsistence livelihoods of many communities.”

Kenya’s major forests like Mau, Arabuko Sokoke, Mt Kenya, Karura, Kakamega and Kerio Valley have all been reported in recent years to be under threat from illegal loggers in what contributes to the diminishing of cover.

Deforestation

Decimation of forests by illegal loggers, squatter farmers and developers also endangers plant and animal species found in these areas. Deforestation in Kenya is estimated at 50,000 hectares annually, with a consequent yearly loss to the economy of over Sh1.9 billion.

Forests like Mau Complex and Mt Kenya are particularly key as natural water towers and regulate the amount of rain that falls in the outlying areas and agricultural activity by extension. “Forests comprise the country’s water towers and catchments, where over 75 per cent of the country’s renewable surface water originate, and therefore serve critical water regulation roles which are important for human livelihoods, irrigated agriculture, and production of hydro-electric power,” the policy adds.
“The forestry services provided by the water towers include local climate regulation, water regulation, water purification and waste treatment and water pollution sinks.”

In June this year, it was reported that
Arabuko Sokoke forest in Kilifi County is facing destruction by the residents living around it due to famine. The forest covers 420 square kilometres and has over 600 tree species.

The Mau forest decimation and settlement saw thousands of hectares of tree cover cut for wood, charcoal and agriculture in the 90s. The restoration of the water tower is ongoing. Conservationists have warned that continued destruction threatens the lives of numerous Rift valley lakes and the Mara River— the lifeblood of the Maasai Mara Game Reserve that is one of Kenya’s premier tourist attractions.

In February this year, reported attempts to hive of a piece of Karura forest in Nairobi by a developer were rebuffed after spirited opposition by city residents. Various reports have also indicated that Kakamega Forest- the only tropical rainforest in Kenya- is facing extinction due to deforestation by the neighbouring community and illegal loggers.

This is where we are. This is where we want out. This is the call. Plant. Conserve. Protect. Enrich.

AFRICA SITS ON AN AGRIBUSINESS GOLDMINE

AGRIBUSINESS & AGRICULTURE

                    Photo credit: Heifer

 When most people think of agriculture in Africa, images of poor and overworked farmers with crude tools on a rural farm readily come to mind. Many, especially young Africans, still think that agribusiness is a poor man’s occupation. Nowadays everybody wants a white-collar office job in the city. Agribusiness is hardly on anyone’s mind.

Did you know that Africa sits on an agribusiness goldmine but most people just dont’t see it? If you’re one of the blind, allow me to open your eyes with a few exciting facts you need to know about agribusines in Africa…

 Photo: Ralf Kreuels | Lufthansa Cargo

Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, recently invested $1 billion in rice production? Every year, Africa spends billions of dollars on rice imports, and Dangote wants a slice of the market.

Since 2009, investors in the USA, Europe, Middle East and Asia have been buying and leasing millions of hectares of African land for agricultural purposes? Many people may not know it but there’s a trend of serious land grabbing by foreign interests for African land.

Foreign Direct Investment in African agribusiness was $10 billion in 2010 and is projected to reach $45 billion by 2020? Agriculture is taking a huge leap in Africa and investors want a piece of the action too.

Africa’s agribusiness industry will be worth $1 trillion by 2030! That’s huge! If this projection by the United Nations comes true, agribusiness will become the ‘new oil’ in Africa!

In the light of these facts, the rich and wealthy folks are investing in Africa’s agribusiness industry while the majority of Africans are largely ignorant about the amazing potentials of agriculture on the continent?

Let me share with you five reasons why agriculture is the biggest business opportunity right now in Africa. And why many of the world’s top business people are investing in African agribusiness.

                   Photo: Design Indaba

1. Africa has cheap agricultural land

According to the World Bank, Sub-Saharan Africa is home to nearly 50 percent of the world’s fertile, usable and uncultivated agricultural land. The size: over 200 million hectares! The continent is now widely considered to be the future breadbasket of the world. It is this huge abundance of land resources that gives Africa the strategic potential to feed the world!

Most of Africa’s agricultural land lies in the savannah and tropical rain forest belt, which receives a favourable amount of rainfall and sunlight all year round. As a direct consequence, more than 80 percent of food crops consumed across the world can be produced here.

Interestingly, a large proportion of Africa’s agricultural land is located in the rural areas. That’s why they’re often cheap to buy or lease. On the average, one hectare of land (10,000sqm) can be leased for as low as $100 per year (depending on the location). This makes it one of the best land bargains you can find anywhere in the world!

2. Africa has a ready market and high demand for agricultural produce

Agribusiness is one of the best business opportunities in the world as food never goes out of fashion. People must eat food everyday!

Currently, Africa’s population is just over one billion people. At its current growth rate, the continent’s population is expected to reach 2.2 billion by 2050. Now and in the future, Africa will always have a lot of mouths to feed.

Africa currently spends billions of dollars every year to import grains, flour and all kinds of finished and semi-finished foods which it can produce locally. There is a huge opportunity for entrepreneurs who can provide cheaper and locally-grown alternatives to the food that Africa imports.

It’s not just the food industry that depends on agribusiness. Several other industries, especially the manufacturing and processing industries, depend on agribusiness for a wide range of raw materials. As Africa’s economies continue to grow, the demand for raw materials will surely increase and create more interesting opportunities for agribusiness on the continent.

3. Improved varieties and farm practices are changing the game across Africa

Agribusiness in Africa has suffered through the years because of its poor yields and crude farm practices. Most of the crops cultivated on the continent produce very little and are often very prone to pests, diseases and drought. As a result, most African farmers used to work very hard but have very little to show for all their hard work during harvest time.

However, due to advances in crop/animal science and technology, it is now possible to harvest more food per hectare than ever before in Africa’s history. There are now improved crop and animal varieties that mature earlier, require less resources, and are less susceptible to pest attacks, diseases and drought. Across Africa, these improved varieties are increasing yields by as much as 400 percent!

There are now improved and locally-adapted varieties of maize, cassava, millet, rice, sorghum, beans, sweet potato, cowpea, groundnut, soybean, pigeon pea, banana, durum wheat, and bread wheat.

There are also several local and international organisations that are focused on supporting African farmers with improved seedlings and support. One of such organisations is the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), launched by the Rockefeller Foundation and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in 2006.

4. Agribusiness is very scalable.

You can start with what you have.

Whether you own one plot of land or 10,000 hectares, agribusiness is one of few business opportunities that allow you to start on any scale, with whatever you have!

Entrepreneurs like South Africa’s Anna Phosa started her agribusiness in 2008 in her backyard with just four pigs. Today, she owns a 350-hectare pig farm and is a major supplier to Pick n’ Pay, the South Africa supermarket chain.

The opportunity to start small means that people with little capital can become part of Africa’s multi-billion dollar agribusiness industry. Because of the guaranteed demand for agricultural produce, that small vegetable or poultry farm in your backyard could just become a huge business tomorrow.

Every evidence shows that you don’t have to be a wealthy investor with millions of dollars in the bank or a highly-educated person in order to start a business in agriculture in Africa. You can start where you are and use what you have, and grow from there. You can start your agribusiness journey in your home backyard or do it on a part-time basis with your day job. It’s very flexible that way!

5. Agribusiness is a huge job creator

Agribusiness is one of the most effective ways to create jobs and empower millions of Africans. At present, up to 60 per cent of the labour force in Sub-Saharan Africa is employed in the agribusiness industry. Agribusiness remains a top employer of labour in many African countries.

The value chain in the agribusiness industry, from food production, processing and marketing provide huge opportunities for employment and entrepreneurship.

So, if you’re looking to start a business or invest in an industry that makes a significant social impact, provides jobs and creates sustainable wealth, agribusiness is surely the way to go!

Africa is changing. You need to be a part of this big dream that’s finally coming true!

FOOD LOSS AND WASTE

            

Food loss and food waste refers to the decrease of food in subsequent stages of the food supply chain, intended for human consumption.

Food waste goes beyond the consumable food substances or produce that has been thrown away. Food loss and waste also results to a major wastage of resources, including water, land, energy, labour and capital.

According to Food and Agriculture organization of United Nations (FAO), an estimated 30 per cent of food produced for human consumption is lost or wasted globally,this amounts to 1.3 billion metric tonnes of food produced per year.

The report says that, food currently lost in Africa could feed 300 million people. If one-fourth of the food currently lost or wasted globally could be saved, it would be enough to feed 870 million hungry people in the world.

In many developing countries,factors such as financial constraints,poor harvesting techniques,storage and cooling facilities promotes food waste and losses. This results to loss or low income to the farmers and higher prices to the consumers.

Establishment of a strong and effective supply chain by supporting farmers,good infrastructure, transportation and creation of food processing and packaging industries could help to reduce food loss and waste.

A report from Food and Agriculture Organization of United Nations indicates that most of this wastage occurs in the developed world; per capita food waste by consumers (not including the production process) in Europe and North America is around 95-115kg per year, compared to just 6-11kg in sub-Saharan Africa and South/South-East Asia. Large amounts of food is still lost during the production process in developing countries, however, due to lack of infrastructure and poor equipment. Wastage at the consumption stage in these countries, meanwhile, is drastically less than developed nations.

The environment is also at risk as a result of immense food waste and losses. The carbon footprint of wasted food is estimated at 3.3 gigatonnes. FAO says that, if food waste were a country, it would rank behind only the US and China for greenhouse gas emissions.

Bulk shopping of human consumable products leads to more food waste. To reduce food wastage, avoid buying more food than you need. Instead make frequent trips to the grocery store every few days rather than doing a bulk shopping trip once a week. Make a list of items that you need to buy and stick to that list. This will help you reduce impulse buying and reduce food waste as well.

Improper storage leads to a massive amount of food waste. Store your food correctly. According to the Natural Resource Defense Council, about two-thirds of household waste in the United Kingdom is due to food spoilage.

Food crop productivity in most of developing countries have failed to exceed the population growth,leading to food insecurity. Reducing food loss and waste would nobly help in tackling food insecurities,promote growth and development and improved health.