Semi-arid lands wonder tree provides new income streams for impoverished households In Kenya’s semi-arid regions grappling with climate change, rural communities are turning their attention to growing the drought tolerant melia volkensii (mukau) tree. Melia can throve very well at altitudes of between 350 and 1,700 meters, and with minimums of 300 to 800mm of annual rains which can sustain melia volkensii growth. According to researchers. “It requires very little water to grow, and if you plant it at the onset of the rainy season, you don’t need to water it. In Uganda, researchers at the National Forestry Research Institute, in 2017 launched Melia Vulkensii Tree in Uganda, after successful research. According to NAFORI Researchers, Uganda’s good weather and soils, makes the Melia Vulkensii mature earlier at 8 years.
This fast maturing hardwood tree — dubbed the mahogany of the dry lands or African Mahogany — has multiple uses and its timber is in high demand and lucrative. A recent survey carried out in Kitui town by researchers from the Kenya Forestry Research Institute (Kefri) showed wood products made from melia volkensii timber cost 40 to 50 per cent more than those from cypress and pine wood. The wood is durable, termite and decay resistant, can be used in interior panelling, and to make floor tiles, rafters, and frames. According to researchers, melia volkensii’s wood is comparable to Elgon teak or camphor. That has made the tree be over-exploited in forests, and created the need to replenish it, in its indigenous ecologies. Melia volkensii is also suited to growing in soils that drain water properly, like the sandy loam soil. Melia volkensii is proving economically and environmentally viable as it cushions against climate change and provides profitable timber. Kenyan farmers have rapidly embraced growing of the melia volkensii tree because of its early maturity, hardwood and high quality timber, tolerant to drought, resistant to termites etc In ideal weather conditions selective harvesting of melia volkensii timber can begin when the tree is about 10 years. Melia Vulkensii trees can be inter-cropped with maize in first three years of growth. When well spaced, the species can also be inter-cropped with cereals like peas, green grams, and cow peas for up to six years without interfering with their yields. The trees also serve as fodder for livestock, green leaf manure, mulch, wind breakers and can help prevent soil erosion.
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