At a seminar on mitigating climate change in Africa through social forestry, participants have heard of the many benefits of integrating trees into agriculture landscapes.

Social forestry practices such as agroforestry, tree planting on public spaces and watersheds will transform livelihoods, said Judi Wakhungu, Kenyan Cabinet Secretary for Environment. The concept of social forestry is gaining momentum in Africa as governments look to measures that can increase tree cover and buffer them against the increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather events.

The Herald, Zimbabwe reports that heads of forestry organizations and policy makers from 20 sub-Saharan African countries participated in the seminar in Nairobi, Kenya which discussed up scaling social forestry.

Social forestry offers cost effective and sustainable solution to forest depletion in many African countries. Capacity development in social forestry is being undertaken by The Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA) through activities such as this seminar.

“The impact of climate change can only be minimized if we develop and promote technologies that boost resilience for communities,” said Wakhungu. “One option that can bring great benefits is to integrate trees into agricultural landscapes through social forestry.”

Read the full story: Social forestry key to fighting climate change