By
Hon. George K.
Muhoho
Minister for Research, Science and Technology
The Chairman,
The Director of ICIPE, Prof. Thomas Odhiambo,
The Representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO),
The Representative of the International Institute
of Biological Control (IIBC),
Representatives of Donor Agencies
Distinguished Scientists,
Ladies and Gentlemen.
On behalf of the Government and the people of the Republic of Kenya and the entire scientific community, I warmly welcome you to our country. We are glad that most of you were able to share experiences and pool techno-scientific know-how in solving one of the most devastating forest pests that Africa has ever-known in all times.
Mr. Chairman, the important role of forests in our lives need not be overemphasized. Forests are particularly important to our economic development while playing a crucial role in the conservation of watersheds and in the prevention of environmental degradation. They are also a vital source of domestic wood supply and provide a habitat for numerous fauna and flora.
Ladies and gentlemen, there are many diverse challenges that are facing forestry in Africa. FAO has recently indicated that the area of closed forest in Africa which stands at 1,350,000 ha is being cleared at the rate of 1.5 to 5 percent per annum. At the same time, over 50% of Africa's land surface is affected by aridity, the salient feature of which are limited and erratic rainfall, scarce and highly localized surface water resources and sparse vegetation cover.
We are also aware that pressure on forest land and woody vegetation has been exacerbated by high population growth rate in Africa, averaging 2.8 per cent. This has led to increased demand for agricultural land, shelter and fuel wood.
More so because drought, famine and environmental conditions in arid and semi-arid zones have all worsened in recent years, forestry faces a greater challenge now in making its contributions towards checking desertification and restoring lands to productive use.
Mr. Chairman, widespread famine in Africa and the urgent need for relief provide grim evidence of the problem facing the continent. There is evidence of imbalance between the capacity to produce food and wood products and capacity to consume. This calls for urgent intervention to promote food and energy production on a sustainable basis.
Moreover, in many third world countries, and our countries are no exception, forestry management and protection from pests and disease remains seriously hampered by the lack of scientific literature and more specifically by the lack of information exchange between scientists working in areas of common interest, at the local, national or regional levels.
Experiences in the region show that some countries have converted up to 10 per cent of their forest estates into industrial plantations with fast growing exotic species. In many cases, the 10% of plantation forests produce up to 90% of the entire forest products. It is therefore evident that well managed plantations can sustain the bulk of industrial and domestic wood demands and thereby relieve pressure from the slower growing and more valuable indigenous forests.
The exotic softwoods in this region have maintained outstanding vigour, form, site tolerance and timber qualities. It is also noteworthy that the softwood crops have enjoyed a protracted pest-free honeymoon. But as expected, this congenial situation has been disrupted in the recent past with the accidental introduction into the forestry systems of our region of different foreign insect pests.
Mr. Chairman, it is particularly noteworthy that the aphids have hit our forests with the most devastating severity that has ever been reported on the continent in our time. Currently the three aphids are causing considerable damage to large areas of forests and in some cases threatening to disrupt planned forest management in some countries. A conservative estimate indicates that these aphids are likely to cause an excess of US $1 billion in damage unless effective control measures are mobilized promptly.
As I have already observed, the natural resources of our lands are among our nation's greatest assets affecting the economies, environmental and social well being of our people. we must, therefore, rise and thwart this crippling menace of aphids.
Mr. Chairman, I find it most fitting that scientists and forest managers from the region and the relevant donor agencies, important stage holders, have come together at this early stage to map out a common strategy for managing the aphids. I am reliably informed that the menace of the aphids cannot be faced by one country alone. Like other migratory and semi-migratory pests, the aphids must be fought simultaneously in all countries of the region lest the vigilant efforts of one country remains exposed to recurrent onslaught of armies if insects resulting from reservoirs of untreated colonies in a less vigilant country.
I therefore urge you to consider, among other things, to develop a regional network to coordinate and implement an intensive R & D programme on the cultural, genetic and biological control of aphids among the countries of the region.
I would like to urge you also to consider providing training opportunities for the young scientists carrying out interfacing socio-economic studies and related investigations. This would ensure that resultant technologies to be recommended for large scale integrated management of the aphid are technically effective, environmentally friendly, economically feasible and socially acceptable.
Mr. Chairman and distinguished scientists, today Africa remains waiting anxiously for you to provide technologies that will improve their welfare and sustain the development inertia in forestry and allied fields. I urge you to strive to treat the task before you with a strong spirit of expertise, diligence and determination. Do not necessarily follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail. I am stressing this point because Africa has lost many important opportunities in the past while our people stayed put waiting for the ship to dock instead of swimming out to it.
I know that a lot of time has gone into organizing and preparing for this workshop. Mr. Chairman, it is particularly fitting to recognize financial assistance from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service, and the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) of Canada, technical and logistical support from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the International Centre for Insect Ecology and Physiology (ICIPE) and the Kenya Forestry Research Institute.
Once again, I trust that your deliberations will be fruitful and hope that during the short time you are in our midst you will enjoy the hospitality, exuberance and warm friendship for which our people are renowned; and hope that you will carry cherished memories of your stay in our country.
Mr. Chairman, ladies and gentlemen, I hope that you will take advantage not only of the knowledge and experience of your dynamic colleagues but also of the Kenya hospitality and its many places of interest. On this note, I wish you all the best in your deliberations and we in the Government and other policy making circles look forward to receiving the deliberations of this workshop and the findings of your research so that they can be used for planning, policy and management purposes.
With these remarks, it is my honour and pleasure in formally declaring this workshop officially opened.
Thank you.
