ODHIAMBO: Plant more fruit trees for food security

Climate crisis, a once-distant threat, is now a harsh reality. We have witnessed extreme dry seasons, heat waves and  flooding across continents. In 2024 alone, we have seen significant shifts in weather patterns and extreme environmental conditions, affecting millions of families.

From the Brazil rain and floods that claimed approximately 100 lives and displaced over 233,000 people to Indian heatwaves that reached a record-breaking temperature of 46.3 degrees Celsius; to Dubai floods that claimed 18 lives; to a tornado in Guangzhou, China, that killed five people and left 33 injured; and Kenya, which has been hit with floods that have left the country mourning more than 200 casualties. These events are not isolated incidents but clear signs of a distressed planet.

Climate crisis/change is a global conversation, with Kenya hosting the 2023 climate summit themed 'Driving Green Growth and Climate Finance Solutions for Africa and the World'. However, these conversations often miss the mark.

Let's not forget the remarkable resilience of traditional African communities, who, in the face of adversity, practised sustainable approaches that minimised environmental harm. They employed conventional farming methods and natural resources management strategies that maintained and sustained the environment we have since enjoyed.

While environmental justice requires payment for damages caused to the environment by the multibillion-dollar companies polluting and destroying the earth, we must equally trace back indigenous knowledge as a critical aspect of restoring what we have destroyed.

The African communal method reflected a system that emphasised the importance of cooperation, mutual support and interconnectedness of humans and the natural world. This highlighted the distinct and harmonious relationship between man and nature.

However, in our current era, governments and big corporations are at the centre of damage with the notion of “industrialisation”. This has led to the destruction of water paths, the cutting down of trees and the destruction of human life with dire weather conditions.

Following the recent flooding in Kenya, President William Ruto declared May 10 a public holiday and invited Kenyans to plant trees. While this is a good move towards addressing climate change, it is elusive and ignorant of other climate crises many Kenyans face, such as lack of food.

Recent weather warnings are forecasting drought after floods. As such, we must intentionally plant fruit trees that protect the environment and provide food during difficult seasons. Additionally, the government must be aware of trees that can effectively support flood mitigation and control. 

The nationwide tree-planting campaign should be more than just a government initiative. It should be community-driven, with people living along water bodies taking the lead in choosing specific types of trees to help control floods in the future.

Planting fruit trees alongside other trees will not only care for the environment but also act as an additional source of food and income for marginalised and poor Kenyans. Traditional agriculture, farming, trading, and education should be implemented in schools and local communities, allowing communities to embrace, value and protect nature. 

The government must urgently shift from reactive to proactive measures in addressing climate issues. It should deploy a people-centred, sustainable and consistent approach, with local and traditional leaders and elders leading communities in environmental recovery.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Forest, and Livelihoods must be competent and understand that livelihood improvement is correlated with climate events and policies. Kenya’s response to the climate crisis must adopt strategies that employ unemployed Kenyans, put food on the table, and, most importantly, honour Mother Nature.