Seedballs Kenya

Help to re-green Kenya

Seedballs Kenya has pioneered a method of mass producing seedballs for low cost and efficient reintroduction of trees and grass species into degraded areas in Africa.  We are delighted to use some of the funds raised by our carbon calculator to purchase seedballs for dispersal by Mara Elephant Project based in the Masai Mara in Kenya.

Kenya’s losing 120,000 acres of forest per year due to logging and urbanisation which has a catastrophic impact for both wildlife and local communities. Many local people rely on forests for shelter, fuel and income while species such as giraffe have seen a decline across Kenya due to habitat loss.

Seedballs are 100% natural and GMO free and contain different blends of indigenous tree and plant seeds depending on the local biome and land use. All the seed is sourced from the Kenya Forestry Seed Centre. The centre has seed from around 220 species in stock ranging from flood plain acacia and different types of grass seed to highland tree species such as the hardwood Dombeya.

Each seedball is covered in a coating of charcoal and nutrients called biochar – this helps to protect the seeds from predators like birds, rodents and insects, as well as extreme temperatures.

At least 750,000 kg of rough unprocessed lump wood charcoal is consumed within Nairobi daily, and of that amount 15% is charcoal vendor’s waste.  This salvaged charcoal waste is the dust used to make the seedballs.

The nutrient rich biochar coating promotes successful germination which only happens when the natural environmental conditions are optimum – this means seedballs can be safely dispersed year-round.

About half of the seedballs will successfully grow into mature trees.

Throw and Grow

Traditional reforestation techniques rely on labour- intensive methods and the planting of seedlings. The beauty of seedballs is that they can be distributed anywhere, by anyone, quickly and easily. The seedballs do not require maintenance, simply lying dormant until the rains arrive.

• One kilo of seedballs (around 450 balls per kilo) costs less than £5.
• £100 can help to transform one square kilometre of arid acacia land.