A recent gathering at CIFOR-ICRAF, a prominent organization dedicated to conducting comprehensive research on soil, trees, and various crops with a focus on advancing restoration efforts through agroforestry on a global scale, was convened to devise targeted strategies to amplify the organization’s impact.
The meeting, attended by board members and a diverse array of stakeholders with a collective history spanning over three decades, underscored the significance of collaborative approaches in addressing prevalent challenges.
Discussions during the conference centered around formulating a strategy that not only outlines priority projects but also serves as an effective method for tackling overarching global issues.
CIFOR-ICRAF aims to foster enhanced partnerships among its 192 active collaborators to broaden the reach of its restoration and agroforestry initiatives. Key partners include KEFRI, KALRO, KFS, NEMA, NETFUND, various government ministries, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and local communities.
A comprehensive review of CIFOR-ICRAF’s achievements in Kenya showcased a substantial investment in over 400 projects totaling USD 100 million, predominantly focused on empowering individuals. The organization underscored its commitment to collectively addressing challenges in Kenya, where alarming statistics reveal that 30% of the population struggles to meet their nutritional needs, with 26% of children under the age of five experiencing malnutrition.
Dr. Doris Capistrano, Chair of the Board at CIFOR-ICRAF, emphasized the importance of collaborative engagement, highlighting the urgent need to identify and prioritize key areas for intervention.
“Moving forward, the organization aims to innovate and scale its efforts. It is imperative for stakeholders to actively contribute their insights and align their objectives towards crafting a comprehensive strategy with a shared vision and purpose,” she said.
Dr. Eliane Ubalijoro, the CEO of CIFOR-ICRAF, emphasized the necessity for unified action among partners and the organization to combat the challenges posed by climate change effectively.
She underscored the vital role of trees in biodiversity conservation, promoting food security, and addressing the adverse impacts of climate change.
“The emphasis on data-driven research prior to project implementation and advocacy for relevant policies has proven to be instrumental in achieving impactful outcomes.”
Why Collective Efforts in Building Restoration is crucial?
From the occurrences at the global scale, it is evident that the unprecedented eventualities are doubling to tripling their impacts that find us unprepared in most cases hence huge losses and damages recorded.
An example is the recurrence of the longest-ever recorded drought in the last four decades for Kenya, followed barely months later by El Nino rains that have further been way prolonged hence devastation beyond bounds.
The floods as of May 9 2024 left 41, 562 acres of land damaged, 281, 835 people displaced, 188 sustained injuries, and 267 deaths on record. All this is happening yet the country has 80% of its land arid or semi-arid thus, there is a need for amplifying the call on collective efforts from NGOs, individuals, to county and national governments through the adoption of local solutions.
Some of the Successes Attained by CIFOR-ICRAF and Partners
CIFOR-ICRAF has completed over 2,200 projects in 92 nations, supported by up to 800 research and development staff. These staff members play a crucial role in delivering research and development work effectively, which in turn helps influence policies.
Using a data-driven approach, CIFOR-ICRAF provides evidence and technical support to inform policies on the best practices for governing and utilizing natural resources. Key contributions include the Climate Smart Agriculture Strategy (2017-2026), the National Agroforestry Strategy (2021-2030, currently in process), and the National Landscape and Ecosystems Restoration Strategy. Additionally, CIFOR-ICRAF is a member of the Technical Working Group (TWG) and co-leads the Agroforestry Component, contributing to the Guidelines for Integrated Landscapes Approach in Displacement Settings.
The organization’s germplasm work, guided by the slogan “The Right Tree for the Right Place and Purpose,” has been scaled up to develop efficient quality seed and seedling supply systems. This initiative aims to ensure the prosperity of trees and crops by planting them in the most suitable soils, thereby reducing failure rates.
Another success is the restoration of watersheds, which are vital for communities vulnerable to water scarcity. To this effect, CIFOR-ICRAF supported the government in developing an irrigation master plan aimed at reducing dependency on rain-fed agriculture by finding sustainable, year-round solutions.
Dr. Catherine Muthuri, the Kenya Country Director of CIFOR-ICRAF, emphasizes that addressing water scarcity requires context-based water management technologies. She highlights the importance of water in supporting tree growth and enhancing livelihoods in arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs).
With offices in 25 countries, including 14 Host Country Agreements, CIFOR-ICRAF’s activities span over 60 countries worldwide. Recognizing the importance of context and diversity, the organization seeks to harness the biological, social, cultural, and economic diversity of the landscapes in which it works to foster innovation, adaptation, and ultimately resilience.
