Browsing by Author "Sirmah, Peter Kipkosgei"

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    Classification and Socio-Economic Benefits of Agroforestry Systems in Soin Ward, Kericho County, Kenya
    (East African Journal of Forestry and Agroforestry, 2022) Korir, Kipkoech Evans; Sirmah, Peter Kipkosgei; Matonyei, Thomas Kibiwot; Simiren, James Ole Nampushi,
    Agroforestry Systems (AFS) are integrated land use systems involving trees, agricultural crops, and animals simultaneously or sequentially, with the objective of sustainably increasing their total productivity per unit area. Despite strong literature evidence describing the benefits of agroforestry to livelihoods in other parts of the world, there is little information as such in Soin Ward of Kericho County, where sugarcane competes with tea as a major cash crop. This study aimed at classifying agroforestry systems and evaluating their socio-economic benefits in Soin Ward, Kericho County, Kenya. The study adopted a qualitative research design through the administration of pretested questionnaires on types of agroforestry systems, the scale of production, land utilisation, preference of trees and sugar cane varieties and their interactions with 384 respondents in lower, upper, and midland parts of Soin Ward. Four (4) classes of agroforestry systems were identified that comprised (48.2% agrosilvopastoral, 31.6% agrosilvicultural, and 20.2% silvopastoral); (16.2% protective and 83.8% productive); (45.7% subsistence and 54.3% commercial), and integrated farm-based agroforestry 47.4%, homestead (6.8%), animal farm (31.4%), dairy farm (1.4%), and forest land (13%) respectively. The majority of the respondents (42.7%) preferred Grevillea tree species for blending with sugarcane in a treesugarcane agroforestry system in comparison with cypress (29.4%), eucalyptus (15.1%), casuarina (12.6%), and calliandra (0.2%) respectively. Sixty (61.7%) plant trees along the boundary, 24% as woodlot, hedge raw (8.9%), intercropping/mixed (3.1%), and alley cropping (2.3%). Direct benefits from the identified agroforestry systems include; income (67.6%), food (8.3%), and employment (24.1%). Indirect benefits include provision
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    Publication
    Classification and Socio-Economic Benefits of Agroforestry Systems in Soin Ward, Kericho County, Kenya
    (East African Journal of Forestry and Agroforestry, 2022-10-24) Korir, Kipkoech Evans; Sirmah, Peter Kipkosgei; Matonyei, Thomas Kibiwott; Nampushi, James Simiren Ole
    Agroforestry Systems (AFS) are integrated land use systems involving trees, agricultural crops, and animals simultaneously or sequentially, with the objective of sustainably increasing their total productivity per unit area. Despite strong literature evidence describing the benefits of agroforestry to livelihoods in other parts of the world, there is little information as such in Soin Ward of Kericho County, where sugarcane competes with tea as a major cash crop. This study aimed at classifying agroforestry systems and evaluating their socio-economic benefits in Soin Ward, Kericho County, Kenya. The study adopted a qualitative research design through the administration of pretested questionnaires on types of agroforestry systems, the scale of production, land utilisation, preference of trees and sugar cane varieties and their interactions with 384 respondents in lower, upper, and midland parts of Soin Ward. Four (4) classes of agroforestry systems were identified that comprised (48.2% agrosilvopastoral, 31.6% agrosilvicultural, and 20.2% silvopastoral); (16.2% protective and 83.8% productive); (45.7% subsistence and 54.3% commercial), and integrated farm-based agroforestry 47.4%, homestead (6.8%), animal farm (31.4%), dairy farm (1.4%), and forest land (13%) respectively. The majority of the respondents (42.7%) preferred Grevillea tree species for blending with sugarcane in a tree-sugarcane agroforestry system in comparison with cypress (29.4%), eucalyptus (15.1%), casuarina (12.6%), and calliandra (0.2%) respectively. Sixty (61.7%) plant trees along the boundary, 24% as woodlot, hedge raw (8.9%), intercropping/mixed (3.1%), and alley cropping (2.3%). Direct benefits from the identified agroforestry systems include; income (67.6%), food (8.3%), and employment (24.1%). Indirect benefits include provision of biofuel (21.9%), enhanced soil fertility (21.1%), bio drainage (20.4%), biodiversity conservation (19.4%), carbon absorption (17.2%), improvement of social amenities such as roads (27.2%), markets (25.8%), hospitals (19.3%), schools (18.5% and electricity (9.2%).Constraints faced by the agroforestry systems include; long waiting payback (39.2%), limited possibilities to sell products (28.3%), labour intensive (27.8%), and knowledge and technology gap (4.7%). Such results are useful for policy-making decisions towards afforestation and improved livelihoods in Kenya
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    Publication
    Classification and Socio-Economic Benefits of Agroforestry Systems in Soin Ward, Kericho County, Kenya
    (East African Journal of Forestry and Agroforestry, 2022-10-24) Korir, Kipkoech Evans; Sirmah, Peter Kipkosgei; Matonyei, Thomas Kibiwott; Nampushi, James Simiren Ole
    Agroforestry Systems (AFS) are integrated land use systems involving trees, agricultural crops, and animals simultaneously or sequentially, with the objective of sustainably increasing their total productivity per unit area. Despite strong literature evidence describing the benefits of agroforestry to livelihoods in other parts of the world, there is little information as such in Soin Ward of Kericho County, where sugarcane competes with tea as a major cash crop. This study aimed at classifying agroforestry systems and evaluating their socio-economic benefits in Soin Ward, Kericho County, Kenya. The study adopted a qualitative research design through the administration of pretested questionnaires on types of agroforestry systems, the scale of production, land utilisation, preference of trees and sugar cane varieties and their interactions with 384 respondents in lower, upper, and midland parts of Soin Ward. Four (4) classes of agroforestry systems were identified that comprised (48.2% agrosilvopastoral, 31.6% agrosilvicultural, and 20.2% silvopastoral); (16.2% protective and 83.8% productive); (45.7% subsistence and 54.3% commercial), and integrated farm-based agroforestry 47.4%, homestead (6.8%), animal farm (31.4%), dairy farm (1.4%), and forest land (13%) respectively. The majority of the respondents (42.7%) preferred Grevillea tree species for blending with sugarcane in a tree-sugarcane agroforestry system in comparison with cypress (29.4%), eucalyptus (15.1%), casuarina (12.6%), and calliandra (0.2%) respectively. Sixty (61.7%) plant trees along the boundary, 24% as woodlot, hedge raw (8.9%), intercropping/mixed (3.1%), and alley cropping (2.3%). Direct benefits from the identified agroforestry systems include; income (67.6%), food (8.3%), and employment (24.1%). Indirect benefits include provision of biofuel (21.9%), enhanced soil fertility (21.1%), bio drainage (20.4%), biodiversity conservation (19.4%), carbon absorption (17.2%), improvement of social amenities such as roads (27.2%), markets (25.8%), hospitals (19.3%), schools (18.5% and electricity (9.2%).Constraints faced by the agroforestry systems include; long waiting payback (39.2%), limited possibilities to sell products (28.3%), labour intensive (27.8%), and knowledge and technology gap (4.7%). Such results are useful for policy-making decisions towards afforestation and improved livelihoods in Kenya
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    Production Capacity, Efficiency and Recovery Rates of Cupressus lusitanica and Pinus patula Lumber from Selected “WoodMizer” Band Sawmills in Kericho County, Kenya
    (East African Journal of Forestry & Agroforestry, 2022-07-15) Mulwa, Boniface Mueke; Sirmah, Peter Kipkosgei; Matonyei, Thomas Kibiwot
    Conservation of forests is slowly shifting into a more proactive approach such as efficient lumber conversion in sawmills. This suggests a need to explore the use of modern sawmilling machinery in lumber conversion that produces low residues, wastage, and hence high recovery. This study looked into the production capacity, efficiency, and recovery rates of Cupressus lusitanica and Pinus patula lumber from selected “WoodMizer” band saws (LT15, 20, and 40) sawmilling machinery in Kericho County, Kenya. Wood logs delivered to each respective sawmill yard were categorized into ten diameter classes, ranging from 10 to 59 cm for both species. Volume of four logs from each class and species was evaluated using Huber’s formula, (1995) and converted using through and through sawing techniques into lumber with each “WoodMizer” band saw. Volume of the lumber pieces and residues obtained were measured. The time taken during the conversion process was also recorded in order to determine the efficiency and lumber production capacity of each sawmill machines. Recovery of C. lusitanica gave average empirical values of 43%, 49%, and 53% in comparison with 39%, 34%, and 60% for P. patula using WoodMizer LT15, LT20, and LT40 respectively. P. patula produced the most residues at 61% and 66% compared to C. lusitanica at 57% and 51% per log volume for LT15 and LT20 respectively but less from LT40 (47%) for C. lusitanica and 40% for P. patula logs. WoodMizer LT40 recorded the highest daily production capacity for both C. lusitanica and P. patula (15.9 m3/day and 16.2 m3/day) respectively. This was followed by WoodMizer LT20 at 11.2 m3/ day and 9.6 m3/day for C. lusitanica and P. patula respectively. WoodMizer LT15 had the least production capacities of 8.8 m3/ day and 9.9 m3/ day for C. lusitanica and P. patula respectively. These results suggest adoption of “WoodMizer” band sawmilling in Kenya for sustainable forest resource.Article