Funding to support the supply of seeds and seedlings of native tree species to enable their planting is being provided by a new project, the Right Tree in the Right Place for the Right Purpose (RTRP-Seed) initiative.

RTRP-Seed, launched in the Kigali meeting for Rwanda, runs from January 2024 to December 2029 and focuses on Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda, as well as Rwanda. All these countries have urgent restoration needs and targets.

The project, financially supported by the German International Climate Initiative, known as IKI, is being implemented in Rwanda under the Ministry of Environment, with CIFOR-ICRAF leading the work in collaboration with Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI), unique land use GmbH and national institutions.

Lars Graudal, a lead researcher on the RTRP-Seed initiative from CIFOR-ICRAF, explained that while Sub-Saharan Africa has long had policies supporting the planting of native tree species, the practical implementation of these policies has been hindered by a shortage of quality planting material and by a lack of clear guidance on which species should be planted, and where.

“This has significantly slowed down restoration efforts across the region, and there is the need to bridge the gap between policy and practice by improving the production and distribution of native tree seedlings,” he said.

Experts gathered in Kigali to discuss how to restore degraded landscapes nationally and regionally by planting native tree species.

The RTRP-Seed initiative seeks to enhance national enablling conditions for tree seed supply, strengthen local tree nurseries, develop business models, provide guidance on species selection and create long-term solutions for the restoration of degraded lands.

Graudal pointed out that addressing the supply of quality native tree seeds and seedlings is a critical first step in achieving successful landscape restoration. “Without sufficient high-quality planting materials, restoration efforts can never truly succeed. Our primary goal is to work with partners to ensure the availability of these materials in key areas, and to build local capacity for long-term native tree seed and seedling production,” he said.

The ultimate goal is to create a robust supply chain for native tree species, from sourcing seed to profitable tree businesses, that will help meet national and regional restoration targets.

If handled rightly, the restoration of degraded landscapes using native tree species offers significant economic opportunities for local communities, as Dr. Ivan Gasangwa, the Division Manager of Research at the Rwanda Forestry Authority (RFA), explained.

“The benefits of landscape restoration extend far beyond the environment. By linking restoration efforts to local livelihoods such as through the development of local tree nursery businesses, we can create sustainable, income-generating opportunities for communities. This way, restoration becomes a win-win, both for the environment and for the local economy,” he said.

Participants during a stakeholders meeting

Gasangwa further highlighted that successful landscape restoration requires more than just the availability of tree seeds and seedlings to plant. To be effective, it demands collaboration between the government, the private sector and local communities.

“One of the biggest challenges to landscape restoration in Sub-Saharan Africa has been the lack of coordination between stakeholders. To achieve large-scale restoration, stakeholders need to come together and partner toward common goals,” he said.

The RTRP-Seed project aims to help the region to overcome the barriers that have hindered previous collaboration. It will help to restore ecosystems, rebuild biodiversity and ensure that communities are benefiting from the restoration process.

As Sub-Saharan Africa faces increasing challenges from land degradation and climate change, initiatives like RTRP-Seed are vital for ensuring that restoration efforts are both effective and sustainable.

The RTRP-Seed project aims to help the region to overcome the barriers that have hindered previous collaboration.

Participants pose for a group photo.