ISSN 2756-3642
International Journal of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development ISSN 3254-5428 Vol. 3 (4), pp. 174-183, April, 2016. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Assessment of agroforestry in the semi-arid lands of Kenya
Chris G. Jordan1*, Musalia W. Mudavadi2, Deep Kirubi Keino3 and K. A. Samuel4
1Department of Dryland Agriculture, South Eastern Kenya University, P. O. Box 170 - 90200 Kitui, Kenya. 2Department of Forestry and Land Resource Management, South Eastern Kenya University, P. O. Box 170 – 90200 Kitui, Kenya.
3Department of Dryland Agriculture, South Eastern Kenya University, P. O. Box 170 - 90200 Kitui, Kenya.
4Kenya Forestry Research Institute, P.O Box 87-90137Kibwezi, Kenya.
E-mail: [email protected]
Accepted 10 March, 2016
Abstract
A survey targeting smallholder households was carried out in Mumbuni and Ndovoini sub-locations in the semi arid Makueni County, Kenya, to identify agroforestry types and practices and their level of adoption and socio-economic factors influencing adoption of agroforestry. The study involved a survey of 234 households using a structured questionnaire. The collected data was subjected to descriptive statistical analysis and binary logistic regression model. Results obtained revealed that more than 90% of the households practised agroforestry. It was also observed that significantly (P<0.01) more agroforestry trees in overall were planted at Mumbuni (40 trees/acre) than at Ndovoini (9 trees/acre). Agroforestry annually contributed 41 and 17% of farm-based income in Mumbuni and Ndovoini, respectively. Adoption of agroforestry was significantly influenced by the size of the household, mode of acquisition of land, security of land tenure, size of landholding, gender and the level of education of the head household. Adoption of sustainable agroforestry practices was low in both sites. There were 50 to 58% of households with fruit trees dispersed on crop land; the other practices on fruits were poorly being carried out (<20%). The highest practices on forest wood trees were homestead planting (Mumbuni 40.2% and Ndovoini 70.1%); the rest were poorly adopted (<25%). Agroforestry practices on fodder were least adopted (<16%).
Key words: Agroforestry, agroforestry practices, Makueni County, semi arid lands, socio-economic factors, adoption of agroforestry.