The Principal Secretary in the State Department for Forestry, Gitonga Mugambi, has challenged young Kenyans to invest in tree nurseries and partner with the government in producing seedlings to help achieve the national target of planting 15 billion trees by 2030.
Speaking in Eldoret during the disbursement of the second tranche of the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) Business Capital programme for Uasin Gishu, Nandi and Elgeyo-Marakwet counties, Mugambi said the tree nursery business presents a profitable opportunity for young entrepreneurs while contributing to environmental conservation.
More than 7,000 youth received business support grants totaling over Sh172 million under the programme to expand their enterprises and improve their livelihoods.
Mugambi said the growing demand for tree seedlings, particularly high-value fruit trees such as avocado and coffee, presents a ready market for young entrepreneurs both locally and internationally.
He noted that the government’s aggressive afforestation programme has created a sustained demand for quality seedlings, making tree nursery enterprises a viable source of income for youth.
However, the PS expressed concern that none of the NYOTA beneficiaries who spoke during the event indicated interest in venturing into tree nursery businesses despite the available opportunities.
He urged the beneficiaries to diversify their investments by establishing tree nurseries and supplying seedlings for the country’s ongoing tree planting campaign.
“The demand for quality seedlings continues to rise as the country works towards achieving the Presidential directive of planting 15 billion trees by 2030. This is an opportunity for young people to create sustainable businesses while supporting environmental conservation,” said Mugambi.
He emphasized that fruit tree seedlings, including avocado and coffee, are particularly lucrative because of their increasing demand from farmers seeking to improve agricultural productivity and tap into export markets.
The Forestry PS called on stakeholders implementing the NYOTA programme to encourage more youth to embrace tree-growing enterprises, saying the initiative would not only generate income but also contribute to increasing Kenya’s forest cover and mitigating the effects of climate change.
The government is targeting to plant 15 billion trees by 2030 as part of its strategy to restore degraded landscapes, enhance forest cover and strengthen the country’s resilience to climate change.
By Jevvah Kiplimo
