Germplasm supply system through Kenya Association of Tree Seed and Nursery Operators (KATRESNO) By Juma Gichohi, Farmer from Nyeri District in central Kenya

INTRODUCTION I am a full time farmer and tree seed dealer and a commercial nursery operator KATRESNO was established in 2005 with the objectives of linking tree seed and nursery operators in several parts of Kenya The association is registered at the Attorney General’s office and thus has legal status The formation was through facilitation of ICRAF KATRESNO has 35 registered members but have other members awaiting registration after the AGM to approve the move

Objectives of KATRESNO Distribution and Marketing of tree planting materials and especially fodder shrub planting materials and the leaf meal Building technical capacity of local communities on growing and utilising various types of trees Development of member’s skills on technical aspects related to agroforestry based enterprises Networking for exchange of experience and marketing of tree planting materials

Marketing strategies Packaging of seeds into quantities that farmers can afford Promotion of various agroforestry technologies through field days, meetings, seminars, agricultural shows and trade fares Deliberate training of other farmers who becomes our future source of seed

Technical training Members have been trained on: Seed collection & handling Seed handling and storage Entrepreneurial skills Fodder shrubs based enterprises such as fishing keeping, bee keeping, sericulture, milk processing, dairy goat keeping, etc

Benefits Earns income through sales of seeds and seedlings Managed to sell kg calliandra & 44kg trichandra and 5970 seedlings since the formation of KATRESNO Helps the society in environmental conservation Have established linkages with other seed dealers and the market both at local and national levels I have improved my life status through sale of seeds e.g. housing, education for my children, purchase of improved dairy cattle, etc

Challenges Lack of operational capital Lack of financial credit facility due to lack of security Low demand for the tree seed The business is seasonal and there is no income accruing during off season Farmers have no information about the tree seed importance Small land sizes

Intervention requirement Formation of revolving funds that would support the seed dealers Collaboration and linkages with other seed companies Training materials e.g. posters Increased market base through advertisement