Kenya, Japan Strengthen Forestry Partnership Through SFS-CORECC Project

Kenya and Japan continue to strengthen their forestry partnership through the Project for Strengthening Forestry Sector Development and Community Resilience to Climate Change through Sustainable Forest Management and Landscape Restoration (SFS-CORECC).

The Forestry Principal Secretary, Mr. Gitonga Mugambi, was represented by the Secretary, Forest Development, Mr. George Tarus, at a two day seminar held in Nairobi to review progress and highlight the project’s contribution to sustainable forest management, landscape restoration and climate resilience.

Through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Japan has supported Kenya’s forestry sector for more than 40 years, contributing to improved forest management, tree breeding, commercial forestry and forest monitoring systems.

The SFS-CORECC Project has supported the development of policies and strategies for sustainable forest management, strengthened forestry extension services, and advanced tree breeding and genetic improvement. Notably, the project has contributed to the development of second generation Melia volkensii, a tree species suited to dryland conditions. It has also supported commercial forestry, forest information systems and regional cooperation across East Africa.

Speaking at the seminar, Mr. Tarus reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to the 15 Billion Tree Growing Programme and the target of achieving 30 per cent national tree cover by 2032. He emphasized the importance of forests in protecting water catchments, conserving biodiversity, addressing climate change and supporting community livelihoods.

He further highlighted the role of commercial forestry in attracting investment, creating economic opportunities and promoting sustainable forest management.

The Ambassador of Japan to Kenya, His Excellency Hiroshi Matsuura, underscored the importance of balancing commercial forestry with the conservation of natural forests. He noted that both are essential to sustainable development and that legal and sustainable commercial timber harvesting should be recognized as part of responsible forest management.

Also in attendance were Mr. Osamu Shimada, Director-General of the Forest Tree Breeding Center at the Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute; Ms. Akiko Tabata, Senior Director of the Global Environment Department at JICA; and Dr. James Ndufa, Director of the Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI).