Africa’s Bamboo Planting Day/RNN

Here is the essence of why we really like this story:  "The event was aimed at bringing together stakeholders in the bamboo industry to create, develop and build a sustainable industry — not only to protect the environment, but also to create employment and support the economy with both local and foreign investments."   

The event captures many of the critical components of building a cleaner future:  Bringing stakeholders together to collaborate across many party lines; agreeing on immediate steps in a plan;  balancing environmental protection and economic growth;  and properly using local, abundant natural resources to build new industries.

Every community can follow these very simple steps and walk a similar path:



Award-winning Africa Plantation Capital (APC), which is a member of the APC Group of companies, together with consumer products powerhouse BIDCO Africa Ltd organized a Bamboo planting day on 27th May, 2017 at Ndakaini Dam, Muranga County.

The event was aimed at bringing together stakeholders in the bamboo industry to create, develop and build a sustainable industry — not only to protect the environment, but also to create employment and support the economy with both local and foreign investments. The event’s chief guest was the Cabinet Secretary to the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, Professor Judy Wakhungu. 

This event follows the APC Group’s policy for extensive Corporate Social Responsibility. Africa Plantation Capital, and the APC Group at large, is implementing extensive CSR programs all over Kenya that include, but are not limited to, student scholarships, environmental awareness days, water tank donations, food donations, etc. The Bamboo planting at Ndakaini Dam is aimed at conserving the environment, as deforestation has adversely affected the water levels in the dam. During the event, the CS confirmed that the water level in this dam was at 28%, which is very alarming. 

The conservation program between BIDCO and APC is one more show of commitment to giving back to the Kenyan society as much as possible. As per the discussions, BIDCO committed to planting one million bamboo seedlings around the dam, whereas APC committed to providing extension services to monitor the project, including attaching one of her agronomists to the project. APC, through her Business Development Director, Mr. Kelvin Kaloki, who represented the company, reiterated its commitment to developing the bamboo industry, working together with like-minded people and institutions to create sustainability. APC is already committed to conservation programs in other parts of the country with partners like CHAEMP in Busia County for river bank conservation. CHAEMP, among other responsibilities, will mobilize the community of about 200 households living at start and along this stream, originating west and flowing into Nafisi stream, and then Namunyere streams in Busia County, by carrying out public awareness meetings. 

The community members use water from the streams and associated springs, and their farms border these streams. APC will be the funding partner while also assisting in management, provision of relevant information and technical support. CHAEMP will also organize public meetings with relevant stakeholders, especially KEFRI, KFS, Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources.

 - See more at: http://www.renewablenownetwork.com/africas-bamboo-planting-day/#sthash.KofyY6KE.dpuf