Creating employment while fighting climate change

With 130,000 tree seedlings and 40 varieties already in production, Vuma Tree Nursery is set to play a powerful role in combatting climate change while creating jobs for young people in eastern Kenya.  

Simon Mwangangi, a 32-year-old computer scientist from Embu County in Kenya, is the visionary behind Vuma Tree Nursery. He felt drawn to his passion for climate action and tree planting in defiance of his academic background. This zeal prompted him to establish a flourishing tree nursery that now plays a powerful role in combatting climate change and creating employment opportunities for young people in the region.

Located on a one-acre piece of land with little access to water, Vuma Tree Nursery hosts over 40 varieties of trees, with more than 130,000 tree seedlings. The nursery is categorised into agroforestry, fruit trees and ornamental trees, each serving a unique environmental and economic purpose.

“I decided to be in agroforestry because I will create job opportunities. This tree nursery is less than a year old, and I have already employed six people who work here daily. When additional labour is required, the capacity increases to more than ten workers in a day,” Simon explains.

The nursery’s impact goes beyond employment. Simon takes pride in seeing people purchase tree seedlings, especially in a dry region like his. “I am sure that I am playing a big role in the fight against climate change, and feel very motivated when people purchase tree seedlings from me despite this part of the region being very dry. I am convinced that they have the desire to make the county greener and better.”

Support from Farm Africa and Acorn

The Agroforestry project by Farm Africa and Acorn has been instrumental in Simon’s success, particularly in marketing his tree seedlings.

Starting with just 5,000 seedlings and two employees, Simon gradually expanded to 130,000 seedlings and six full-time workers within seven months. He emphasises the importance of prioritising fruit trees over timber trees for longterm environmental impact. “I realised that if we focus on indigenous trees, people will one day cut them down for charcoal or income. But fruit trees are different; they are less likely to be cut because they offer ongoing benefits and therefore, people will live healthy lives and earn a living from selling of fruits,” he explains.

His forward-thinking approach ensures the longevity of tree cover while offering sustainable economic returns. Looking ahead, Simon envisions Vuma Tree Nursery as a platform for large-scale employment and environmental impact. “In the next five years, I see myself employing close to 100 people with tree nurseries spread across five subcounties,” he shares.

Simon encourages young people to consider agroforestry as a workable career path and seek guidance from people who have succeeded from venturing into to business. His story is evidence of how Farm Africa and Acorn can drive meaningful change in both livelihoods and environmental conservation.

Learn more about how agroforestry is transforming farming in Kenya: