Publication: Classification and Socio-Economic Benefits of Agroforestry Systems in Soin Ward, Kericho County, Kenya
Loading...
Total Views 4
total viewsTotal Downloads 1
total downloadsDate
2022
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Funder
NA
Publisher
East African Journal of Forestry and Agroforestry
Cite this Item
Abstract
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
Description
Article
Keywords
Agroforestry System, Tree-Sugarcane, Socio-Economic, Classification, Constraints and Benefits