ICRISAT Archival Report 2006 - The seedlings of success in the ...

leaf manure. Similarly, mango production also has high potential in ASALs and has the same challenges as Melia.
Both of these crops were considered simultaneously for up-scaling as they perform equally well under similar ASAL
conditions.
2.8.2 How it is implemented?
Propagation of Melia through seeds has long been a serious impediment to its planting in Kenya. KEFRI researched
this aspect and has come up with production guidelines that are not yet widely adopted by farmers. Besides
propagation, silvi-cultural management of the species is still at infancy and needs to be refined before
recommendations are disseminated to stakeholders. DMP has responded to these needs and is currently up-scaling
Melia through:
(a) Capacity building on seedling production for farmers. The training focuses on timing of seed maturity, depulping
of Melia fruits, seed extraction, seed pre-treatment, sowing, pricking out and tending of pricked out
seedlings. Training is necessary because the species is highly sensitive to weather and environmental
conditions.
(b) Silvi-cultural management. Farmers are trained on tree management to improve production of various Melia
products. Timber production, pruning and spacing are the major training aspects.
(c) On-station seedling production. This was initiated during Phase II to meet the rising demand for Melia
seedlings. This will be scaled down as farmers are trained to produce seedlings on farm.
The key challenges to mango production is timely production of quality fruits in quantities that justifies selling in
lucrative markets. Suitable varieties, grafting techniques, integrated soil water and fertility management practices,
and pest and disease management options have been identified for mangoes. In addition, there have been proposals
by stakeholders on marketing and value adding strategies through collective action, networking, packaging and
transportation of the fruit. DMP has been training farmers on seedling production, availability of better varieties and
crop management.
2.8.3 Contribution to overall DMP project goals and objectives
Up-scaling of Melia and mango addresses several DMP objectives and provides synergy to multilateral
environmental agreements on biodiversity conservation and climate change. By providing an alternative source for
forestry products like timber, the pressure on highlands forests is expected to reduce in the long term, and this
contributes to biodiversity conservation since highland forests are more endowed with biological diversity. The
gains from increased planting of Melia will eventually lead to conservation of highland forests by way of increase in
carbon sequestration. In addition to these benefits, the sale of raw and processed products will contribute to
household incomes, providing alternative livelihoods for local communities. Mangoes will, in addition to its
contribution to food, provide farmers with some income.
2.8.4 Projected impact at the end of the project
Local communities will become self reliant in the production of good quality seedlings. Capacity building and
enhanced ree management skills will empower farmers in production of diverse goods and services. Thus marginal
areas in Kenya will have alternative sources of timber as well as additional income.
2.8.5 Contribution to overall DMP project goals and objectives
Up-scaling of mangoes and Melia addresses several DMP objectives that include poverty alleviation and mitigating
land degradation. Increased mango production and marketing will not only enhance income but improve nutritional
levels of the targeted populations. The increased acreage under these trees will increase land-under-vegetation cover
in the drylands and thus help enhance carbon sequestration.
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