Women in Narok County have been urged to venture into tree growing business in a drive to boost the County’s green cover and eliminate poverty.

Sarah Meitamei, 40, a farmer at Olopito area in Narok Central Sub County asked women to take advantage of the ongoing rains to form groups and put up tree nurseries so as to sell tree seedlings to institutions and individual farmers.

The mother of six said trees have numerous advantages as they provide shade, prevent soil erosion, act as windbreakers, and provide firewood among other numerous benefits.

Ms. Meitamei who has been in the tree business for over 25 years disclosed that she makes a fortune from growing trees.

‘I put up tree nursery beds where I grow different kinds of trees both exotic and indigenous trees. I also grow fruit trees which I sell to individuals and organizations,’ she said.

The tree business, she said, has helped her educate four of her children to high school, adding that two of the children are in university while two are in secondary.

‘The work pays a lot if one masters how to do it properly. I comfortably pay my bills as I educate my children through growing trees,’ she added.

Nevertheless, Ms. Meitamei disclosed that she faces challenges during prolonged dry spell where she has to source for water from long distances to irrigate the nursery beds.

Another major challenge, she said, is livestock that loiters around without a shepherd destroying the seedlings before they grow.

‘Narok County being a livestock keeping County, there are many livestock that roam about without anyone shepherding them. The livestock sometimes break into the seedbed and destroy the seedling causing a lot of losses,’ she said.

While adding that tree growing is a source of employment, Ms. Meitamei said she has employed two casual youth who help to water and weed her seedbeds.

She called upon women to form self-help groups and venture into the noble business of planting trees to improve their livelihood as well as stop climate change by removing carbon dioxide f
rom the air, storing carbon in the trees and soil, and releasing oxygen in the atmosphere.

Narok County targets to grow over 5.3 million seedlings during this season of prolonged rainfall so as to help achieve the Presidential Directive of planting over 15 billion tree seedlings in ten years.

Source: Kenya News Agency

KORGOHO: Namibia senior men’s football team coach, Collin Benjamin, said despite being placed in a tough group at the African Nations Cup (AFCON), they are optimistic about upsetting a team or two at this championship.

The 2023 Ivory Coast AFCON is underway in four different cities across the country and will come to an end on 11 February 2024.

During a media briefing held on Monday, Benjamin said that although they are aware of their opponents, his team has worked very hard to compete in the championship and they are ready to give it their best in the opening match.

‘Tunisia and Mali have players whose development happens in Europe, while Namibia and South African players are groomed at home. Nevertheless, we are humbled to step into the field of play and give it our all,’ he said.

Benjamin added that despite being in a difficult group with South Africa, Mali and Tunisia, they have a dream of upsetting one or two of the competition favourites.

‘Namibians want to create history for their country. They ar
e hungry and angry. We have analysed our weaknesses from our last preparation game against Ghana and we will now focus on improving them in order to perform better and make our country proud,’ Benjamin said.

He further added that their opening opponents Tunisia play offensive football, but they are prepared for them.

Namibia’s opening match will be against Tunisia on Tuesday at Amadou Con Coulibaly Stadium in Korhogo at 19h00 (Central African Time).

Source: The Namibia Press Agency