ISSN 2375-1096
International Journal of Agroforestry and Silviculture ISSN 2375-1096 Vol. 5 (5), pp. 315-325, May, 2017. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Agroforestry trees in Kapsaret, Kenya: Socio-economic perspectives influencing availability, preference and utilization
2Julius Rotich, 1Peter Sirmah*, 3Edward Mengich, 2Paul Okelo Odwori
1School of Natural Resource and Environmental Management, University of Kabianga, P.O. Box 2030, Kericho, Kenya,
2School of Natural Resource and Environmental Management, University of Eldoret, P.O. Box 1125, Eldoret, Kenya,
3Kenya Forestry Research Institute, Rift Valley Eco-Region Research Programme P.O. Box 382, Londiani, Kenya.
*Corresponding author E-mail: [email protected]. Tel.: +254725873652
Accepted 04 April, 2017
Abstract
Majority of rural communities worldwide depend on natural resources for their livelihoods. This study examined how socio-economic perspectives influence the availability, preference and utilization of agroforestry trees in Kapsaret sub-county, Kenya. A sample of 120 farmers were interviewed on demographic trends, tree cover, tree availability, species preferences, benefits and utilization on a scale of 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree). Sixty-two percent (62%) of the respondents were females, 50% being over the age of 50 years suggesting a shift in societal norms with women taking over farm management roles. Over 85% of the respondents had various levels of education, indicating a high literacy level therefore ease of adoption of agroforestry practices and technologies in Kapsaret. Seventeen major multipurpose tree species were identified on the farms. Eucalyptus grandis was the ddominant and most preferred species (84.2% in 96 households) due to its diverse products and services. Trees on farms are utilized for fodder (10%), soil fertility improvement (47%), timber and fuel wood (77%). Over 50% of respondents strongly agreed that trees on farms improve tree cover and co-exist with food crops hence substitute for income. Labour, level of education, household security, gender, land and tree tenure and availability of information strongly influenced, utilization, species preference and availability of trees in Kapsaret. Market access and farm size was not considered as important factors. Put together these results indicate a strong association between socioeconomic perspectives and availability of trees on farms than with their utilization, hence the need to promote agroforestry technologies and practices in Kapsaret.
Keywords: Agroforestry trees, socioeconomic, perspectives, species preference, utilization.