By Standard Correspondent
The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) is developing a policy to guide the farming, production and marketing of the lucrative sandalwood tree on commercial basis.
Managing Director Julius Kipng’etich announced his organisation wants to put in place mechanisms to ensure proper production and marketing of the plant in a lawful and co-ordinated manner to benefit farmers.
The move, he said, will end illegal felling and smuggling of the tree and its products out of the country by loggers and poachers, a move that is threatening survival of indigenous tree.
Dr Kipng’etich spoke during the signing of a memorandum of understanding between KWS, Kenya Forestry Research Institute, the Community Development Trust Fund (CDTF) an arm of European Union and the Baringo Aloe Bio-prospecting Enterprise for the farming, production and marketing of Aloe plant at KWS headquarters, Lang’ata, Nairobi.
The KWS boss welcomed the European Union donation of Sh12.3 million for the programme, which he noted would uplift rural livelihoods and called for effective local marketing of Aloe products.
Fragile environment
He challenged players involved in the production and marketing of the plant and its products to ensure the sustenance of the fragile environment in Aloe growing areas, while at the same time adding value to the products.
CDTF programmes Manager Joseph Ruhiu said the European Union has funded the enterprise to the tune of Sh12.3 million since 2001 saying the grant is meant to ensure the sustainability of the project.
