admin | December 18, 2025
News Brief
Along the River Nzoia in Siaya County, western Kenya, farmers are restoring degraded land through the My Farm Trees project. Morris Onyango says repeated floods once destroyed his seedlings and fertile soil. Through the blockchain-based initiative led by Alliance Bioversity International and CIAT with IUCN, farmers receive native seedlings, planting guidance, and payments when trees survive. Using the MyGeo Farm App, over 3,400 Kenyan farmers have planted more than 210,000 trees, restoring 1,250 hectares while earning income and improving climate resilience.
It’s early morning in Siaya County, along the banks of the River Nzoia in western Kenya. Small patches of green are slowly returning to the once-degraded landscape. On his farm, Morris Onyango carefully tends to young trees planted along the riverbank. He says, “For years, I tried reforesting this land, but the floods would wash everything away. Now, I see hope again.”
For decades, Onyango struggled to reclaim his land. Floods not only destroyed seedlings but also carried away fertile topsoil, leaving the land bare and unproductive. He says, “The trees wouldn’t survive, and I felt helpless.”
The breakthrough came with the My Farm Trees (MFT) project, a blockchain-based initiative launched by Alliance Bioversity International and CIAT, in partnership with IUCN. The project guides farmers on planting and caring for native tree species that restore soil health, support biodiversity, and provide long-term economic benefits.
Through the MyGeo Farm App, Onyango and other farmers receive seedlings and step-by-step instructions on planting and care. They also track the growth of their trees and report progress. When the trees survive, farmers are paid, creating a sustainable source of income while restoring degraded land.
He says, “The project gifted me 175 seedlings. These trees have helped me reclaim my land, stop erosion, and earn money from caring for them.”
Caroline Awuor, another farmer in Siaya, received 110 seedlings, including mango, avocado, and jackfruit trees. She says, “One hundred and four of my trees survived. I earn cash incentives from the project and also sell the fruit. I plan to plant 1,000 more seedlings along the river.”
Since the project began, over 3,400 farmers in Kenya, more than half women, have planted 210,520 trees, with a survival rate of over 60 percent beyond the first year. The project has restored 1,250 hectares across Siaya, Turkana, and Laikipia counties and released KES 26 million (around USD 200,000) in direct payments to farmers.
Francis Oduor, national coordinator of the project, says, “We want communities to become leaders in tree planting and land restoration. This project improves agricultural productivity, water regulation, and resilience to climate change.”
Lawrence Ogoda, a local tree nursery operator, says, “The app allows me to collect data on propagation and development. It’s changed the way we manage nurseries and produce seedlings.”
Joshua Schneck, Green Climate Fund Portfolio Manager at IUCN, says, “My Farm Trees is a scalable model for restoring degraded lands. It combines science and technology to empower farmers, fight poverty, and support ecosystem recovery.”
He says, “We are not just planting trees. We are rebuilding our land, our livelihoods, and our future,” referring to Onyango, Awuor, and hundreds of other farmers.
This story is based on an article written by Jackson Okata for Interpress News Service, titled “Farmers Earn While Reviving Native Forests Through a Blockchain-Powered App” To read the full story, go to: https://www.ipsnews.net/2025/12/farmers-earn-while-reviving-native-forests-through-a-blockchain-powered-app/
Photo: Caroline Awuor tends to tree seedlings on her farm in Siaya County, Western Kenya. She is a beneficiary of the My Farm Trees Project. Credit: Jackson Okata/IPS