The government has lifted the ban on the growth of maize in forests.

In a circular addressed to Regional Forest Conservators, County Forest Conservators, and Forest Station Manages on April 6, 2023, Chief Conservator of Forests Alexander Lemarkoko directed them to allow farmers to cultivate annual crops including maize in Plantation Livelihood Improvement Scheme (Pelis) plots.

Pelis is an incentive system anchored in sections 48 and 49 of the Forest Management and Conservation Act of 2016, which allows forests adjacent communities, through community forests associations (CFAs) to use forestlands for food crop production while supporting the forest establishment phase.

The community members were only allowed to grow low-cover crops such as kales, cabbages, carrots, and potatoes among others, and banned the growth of maize.

This is due to the fast-growth nature of maize which suppressed the growth of the tree seedlings in some areas, especially in the first year.

“You are hereby notified that annual crops such as maize may be allowed in Pelis plots within forest plantation areas,” the circular read.

This comes after the state Department of Forestry principal secretary Ephantus Kimotho last month promised farmers near forests that government would allow them to farm in forests.

He said major forests have seen trees growing as a result of being taken care of by the communities who work closely with the KFS.

“We cannot underrate the role the Pelis has played. We know it has helped in reforestation, protection, and conservation of forests” he said.

The PELIS system is not entirely a new concept as it was formerly referred to as the Shamba system before being rebranded.

The portions are subdivided through a balloting method among the CFA members.

Once a CFA member has been given a portion, they are required to pay an annual commitment fee depending on the portion of land owned by the Kenya Forest Service (KFS).

A quarter an acre costs Sh250 which is paid once every year until the trees grow.

The farmer’s activities on the forest land are governed by an agreement signed between them and KFS and there are things they are allowed to do and not to do. This includes using some chemicals such as certain herbicides which when sprayed may kill the tree when it is still young.

Consequences of breaking the agreement include being chased out of the forestland and the portion allotted to somebody else and the member will also not be eligible for another allocation depending on the magnitude of the breach.