The South African eucalyptus tree species was introduced with a promise of pulling families out of shackles of poverty while offering Kenya a pathway to the global required forest cover. 

Decades later, farmlands under cultivation and adjacent to the plantation of the species are quickly becoming barren, leading to unexpected food deserts. It is time for review of the impact of the trees species on our economy and their effect on food security and livelihoods. 

With the new proposed National Green Fiscal Incentives Policy Framework, which among other things seeks direct government planning, budgeting, spending procurement towards green production and consumption, there should be a new impetus to reconsider the issue of land degradation and loss of water and biodiversity caused by the eucalyptus plantations. 

The Overall goal of the Green Fiscal Policy is to tackle the challenge of climate change and loss of biodiversity. The document appreciates that there will be need for trade-offs that would require Government intervention in terms of subsidy. While the government would also seek to improve revenue streams to raise enough to plug the holes resources expended to easing the burden of those losing to alternative green fiscal policy implementation.  One of the major externality of planting the eucalyptus trees has been deterioration of soil health. 

Indeed, a survey of areas where the eucalyptus are planted, productivity of other crops are decimated. As pointed out by Kenya Forest Service, the species has capacity to suppress the growth of nearby plants and also has high water use.  

With raging climate change that has a negative implication of water availability, having forest with high water consumption is detrimental to growth and development. This need urgent and innovative policy interventions.  The government must move act against those going against the requirement of planting these trees in riparian lands, close to water bodies. These regulations have had minimal enforcement.

 To save the situation there is need for swift action. However, it is also important to be cognizant to the political and economic cost of the failure to enforce laws and regulations in part of government that allowed citizens to invest immensely in eucalyptus projects. Those who planted huge swaths of their land with the eucalyptus- some out of ignorance and inability of the government to offer guidance through extension services- must be considered in a manner that does not aggravate their bad economic condition. 

Here, governments’ sourced market for those with massive plantations of eucalyptus is a viable option with the intent of phasing species out of productive farm land. But since the main agenda is transforming the food system and avert the climate change debacle, Governments must go a step further to seek restoration and rehabilitations of soils and biodiversity.  One of the pathways to restoration of soil fertility is through soil testing. This would give a clear indication of what minerals and elements required to make the process a success. This will further require participation of all actors. Farmers, private sector and governments. 

For the governments – National and counties, it would be critical to support the public good aspect that include funding of research, and employing extension workers. Supporting private sector by subsidising technological tools that could enhance soil testing and other aspects in the agri-food could be another viable idea. Building infrastructure such as roads, electricity and water could also aid the recovery process. 

Private sector on the other hand should be encouraged to explore nature-based solutions to degraded soils, conservation of water and biodiversity. While farmers should be nudged to abandon the old practice and adopt new innovative approaches.  

Yes, the tree offers good economic benefits, but with their ability to destroy soil health, biodiversity, and water, urgent steps towards restoration and rehabilitation are necessary. 

— The writer is a communications and food policy expert