SFS-CORECC PROJECT – Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry

Background

Kenya’s forests were estimated to be 3.47 million ha in 2018, which is 5.9% of the total land area. These forests are important for economic, environmental and social welfare of the nation. However, Kenya loses about 52,000 ha of forest every year mainly due to conversion to agricultural activities and other uses, unsustainable utilization, poor governance, forest fires and shifting cultivation. Loss of forest cover is particularly severe in the Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs). Japan has been cooperating with Kenya since 1985 in establishment of the foundation of forestry development, social forestry promotion for local communities, drought-resistant tree breeding, and third country trainings. From 2016 to 2021, the Capacity Development Project for Sustainable Forest Management (CADEP-SFM) was implemented which aimed to strengthen capacity at the national and county level for sustainable forest management.

After the CADEP-SFS, the Project for Strengthening Forestry Sector Development and Community Resilience to Climate Change through Sustainable Forest Management and Landscape Restoration (SFS-CORECC) was started in 2022 to further strengthen the policy and implementation capacity of the central and local governments, and contribute to increasing tree cover by supporting the promotion of commercial forestry and the development and diffusion of drought-resistant forest trees. Furthermore, through regional cooperation, the SFS-CORECC will also contribute to combating climate change in sub-Saharan Africa.

Visit to the Progeny Test Site (PTS) of the 1st generation Melia volkensii during the 3rd Joint Coordinating Committee Meeting.

Overall Goal

Sustainable forest management and landscape restoration are promoted for achieving and maintaining over 10% tree cover in line with the aspirations of the Constitution of Kenya 2010, Vision 2030 and National Determined contributions (NDCs) among others

Project Duration

1st February 2022 to 31st January 2027 (5 years)

Target Areas

Nationwide for Outputs 1 through 4
Following 8 pilot counties for commercial forestry related activities: Embu, Kilifi, Kitui, Kwale, Makueni, Nyeri, Taita Taveta, Tharaka Nithi

Read More: https://www.jica.go.jp/Resource/project/english/kenya/019/index.html