‘Throw and Grow’ Greening With Seedballs

Thome Sub-Location—Rumuruti, Laikipia County

Also known as earth balls, seed balls are tree seeds coated with a protective charcoal dust layer among other nutritious binders. It is a low-cost afforestation process applied in uncertain weather conditions. Once broadcasted, seeds remain protected in the charcoal capsule for germination when rains are on, as they must wash off the dust to release the seeds for germination.

”Throw and Grow” seedballs broadcasting practice continues to broaden environmental conservation activism by offering a low cost tree growing alternative. In partnership with Seedballs Kenya and Cookswell jikos, we hold our position with utmost zeal to engage communities into embracing seed balls to complement tree planting.

Taking advantage of the year-opening January rains being received in most regions in the country, DKF environmental conservation team spent Thursday, 30th January, educating students and pupils in Thome area schools in Rumuruti about climate change, the need for heightened tree growing, and seedballs broadcasting.

Opening the day’s activities at the Chosen Generation primary school in Thome, the team held an interactive session with the learners during which they taught them on use of seedballs in to increase tree cover in absence of tree seedlings which are only accessible at a higher cost. Similar activities were held in Thome Mixed Secondary school, Thome comprehensive school and Kenya Assemblies of God Church – Thome.

Acacia xanthophloea, Acacia tortilis, Acacia gerrardii and Sesbania sesban were among the species broadcasted. All these species match the hot climatic conditions of the sites attended.