Murang’a: Schools in Murang’a County are continually embracing the growing of fruit-bearing trees, a major shift from the growing of the indigenous and exotic trees. This shift is significantly solving two major problems, including environmental conservation to mitigate the effects of climate change and offering improved nutritional benefits for the school populations while contributing to a more vibrant ecosystem.

According to Kenya News Agency, various stakeholders, including elected leaders, are championing this fruit-bearing tree-growing initiative, which is further contributing largely to the government’s goal to plant 15 billion trees by 2032 as part of a larger plan to increase tree forest cover to 30 percent. The initiative aims at reducing greenhouse emissions, halting and reversing deforestation, and restoring degraded landscapes.

Speaking during the launch of the fruit trees growing initiative in public institutions under the theme ‘Children and a Greener Planet,’ CEO of Unaitas Sacco Society Limited, Martin Muhoho, observed that the Sacco aims at planting one million fruit trees by the year 2030. “In this first phase of this initiative, we have planted 70,000 hass avocado trees in 11 public primary schools across Murang’a County,” Muhoho stated.

In Kangema constituency, the area member of parliament has been championing and supporting the growing of fruit trees in primary public schools in the area. In a recent drive, 11 schools received over 100 apple tree seedlings each, complete with agricultural support for the learners, teachers, parents, and the community surrounding the schools.

Kihungi noted that planting fruit trees in learning institutions is a vital step towards a greener, more food-secure, and economically empowered society. “This initiative will offer the learners a hands-on learning experience as recommended in the Competency Based Curriculum,” he said.

At Mukarara Primary School, the Wambugu apples planted over a month ago continue to thrive with the ongoing rains catalyzing the growth. The high-yielding variety planted is expected to yield its first harvest on the ninth month after planting. Ruth Maina, the head teacher, lauded the initiative, noting that the fruits will be beneficial to the pupils due to their high nutritional value.

The nearby Muguru Primary School currently boasts 100 apple trees courtesy of the legislator’s initiative and over 100 Hass avocado trees courtesy of the Unaitas Sacco Society Limited. The fruit-bearing tree planting exercise is set to be achieved in two phases during the major rainy seasons in the country.