Agroforestry- Tree Planting Initiative, Kenya

A chance to support local farmers in Kenya at the beginning of their tree planting journey under the TIST program.

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Intervention

Tree Planting

Location

Kenya

Developer

Clean Air Action Corporation (CAAC)

Project information

Lead by Small-hold farmers

Two decades of impactful community-centered tree planting successes later, the TIST project in Kenya is still growing! With each passing year, a growing community of farmers are including agroforestry on their land as part of the TIST program. But the benefits in carbon payments after trees are planted takes several years to cash in. The initiative closes that gap in conservation finance by supporting farmers right from the beginning of their carbon removal journey. This means their positive efforts for the environment are always rewarded, including when the finance is needed most.

Sustainable Goals

  • no poverty
  • zero hunger
  • good health
  • quality education
  • gender equality
  • clean water
  • clean energy
  • economic growth
  • infrastructure
  • reduced inequality
  • sustainable cities
  • responsible consumption
  • climate action
  • life below water
  • life on land
  • peace justice
  • partnerships

Developer Information

Project Benefits

Why this project?

TIST Kenya project is an excellent example of how action for nature can be rooted in community development, climate action and impact-oriented conservation practices. The project uses several tools such as hiring local leadership for project management, training on technology for monitoring and climate-resilient farming to create the maximum impact for people and society.

Positive for People

Each tree planted through TIST generates $8 in real benefits for farmers. These benefits start to add up years before carbon finance can be received. This includes production of fruits, nuts and traditional medicine from the plants. The plant leaves are used as livestock fodder and the fallen litter improves soil fertility thus improving crop yield. Many farmers later on go on to become employed as monitoring personnel as TIST management in Kenya predominantly consists of local farmers.

This gift of trees will support investment in communities and people involved within the plantation efforts, opening doors for more people to be employed under the TIST Smallholder farmers groups. This unique structure has seen participation and leadership for women, youth, and other groups who experience discrimination. Today, 50% of TIST leadership and 41% of TIST participants are women.

Good for Earth

“How long will my sponsored tree store carbon” is often the big question around tree plantation projects. Through TIST’s agreement policy, farmers planting trees vow to keep them in the ground for at least 30 years. Since their beginning in early 2000s, TIST has planted 19 million trees globally so far that brings innumerable benefits across biodiversity especially around increased pollinator population, improving soil health, and purifying air quality. Farmers are given the freedom of choice of species which prevents monoculture plantation and improves regional plant biodiversity.