1. KATRESNO (Kenya Association of Tree Seeds and Nursery Operators)
Seed Distribution in Central/Rift Valley Regions – Kenya
BY: Simon N.Githambo
Member of KATRESNO &
Community Development Trainer (Tree is life project)

2. AREAS OF OPERATION Nyandarua north and Nyandarua South districts
Laikipia East and Laikipia West districts

3. WHY DISTRIBUTE SEEDS AND SEEDLINGS ?
To enable farmers start tree nurseries as an income generating enterprise
Improve the dairy farming by introduction of fodder shrubs
Source of income
To promote tree planting for sustainability of valuable tree products
Create awareness on environmental conservation

4. HOW TO MAINTAIN QUALITY SEEDS
By carrying out simple test i.e. Viability, moisture, maturity and impurity
Ensuring that they are from the right source ( Right number of trees to avoid inter-breeding)
Educate the seed harvesters
Source seeds from trained collectors

5. TYPE OFSEEDS
Indigenous - Prunus africana, Cordia abyssinica, accacia spp, Olea africana
Exotics - Grevillea robusta ,cypress, eucalyptus, Mexican Green-ash.
Fodder shrubs - Sesbania sesban, tree lucerne, calliandra and leucaena spp.

6. DISTRIBUTION APPROACH
Through extension institutions – govt, and NGOs,
Dairy cooperatives and societies
Commercial tree nurseries operators
Self help groups
Individuals
Note: Awareness created through media such as newspapers, radio and other media

7. CHALLENGES IN DISTRIBUTION
Lack of awareness about the seed sources
Consumer past experience i.e. provided with poor quality seeds by dishonest individuals
Low returns from seed sales
Insufficient supply of quality seeds
Lack of technical knowledge on establishment and management of tree nurseries
Limited knowledge on tree values