The Kenya Forest Service (KFS) has now banned the popular ‘Shamba-system’ in parts of Kinangop, Nyandarua County, leading to an uproar from hundreds of small-scale farmers.

The government institution has given the farmers 14 days to stop farming in parts of the Aberdare forest leaving the farmers between a rock and a hard place.

The farmers are calling for a six months extension so that they can harvest crops in the forest warning that the directive could erode on gains made in conserving forests in the agriculture rich region.

For years, the farmers have tilled land around the forest while planting seedlings in a move that has seen forest cover increase gradually.

According to Joseph Mwaura from Rwanyambo village, they had been practicing the shamba system for years and it had worked well for the community and KFS.

He said that they were still in shock following the directive to move out, adding that they had invested thousands of shillings in the farming.

He warned that those affected could be forced into illegal logging after being kicked out of their farms thus eroding years of conservation efforts.

On her part, Hannah Mwaniki said that they recently planted hundreds of tree seedlings and assorted crops only to be ordered out.

While calling for a six month extension, she said that tens of families relied on the shamba system and the move to ban it spelt doom for them.

They are calling on the Kenya Forest Service to give them just six months to harvest these crops as failure to do that will mean major losses for them.

This was echoed by Samuel Ndung’u who said that they entered the farming legally after working with Kenya Forest Service for years in conservation efforts.

A senior KFS officer who declined to be named confirmed the ban adding that the move had been taken as some of the farmers were illegally harvesting forest products.