Research involving smallholder farmers in Kenya indicates that tree-planting initiatives need to consider various local challenges and preferences.
Research involving smallholder farmers in Kenya indicates that tree-planting initiatives need to consider various local challenges and preferences.
Tree planting plays a key role in many nations’ efforts to combat climate change and preserve biodiversity, with Kenya aiming to plant 15 billion trees by 2032.
Incorporating trees and shrubs into agricultural lands (known as agroforestry) can enhance biodiversity, increase carbon sequestration, improve soil conditions, boost food production, and generate income. However, numerous tree-planting programs tend to ignore diversity and focus solely on a limited selection of species.
The recent research, spearheaded by the University of Exeter, investigated the elements that may encourage or hinder Kenyan smallholders from diversifying the types of trees and shrubs they cultivate.
“In Sub-Saharan Africa, where the majority of food is produced on smallholdings, many nations are advocating for agroforestry as a means to tackle climate change and safeguard biodiversity,” stated Ennia Bosshard from the Centre for Ecology and Conservation at Exeter’s Penryn Campus in Cornwall.
“Farmers are vital to this initiative as stewards of the land and trees, making it crucial to comprehend their decision-making processes related to tree cultivation.”
The researchers conducted interviews with 620 smallholder farmers in the Kakamega forest area of Western Kenya.
“Significant factors influencing their choices included past experiences, peer influence from other farmers, and their confidence in growing diverse tree species,” Bosshard elaborated.
The Kenyan farmers involved in the research generally had a favorable outlook on increasing the variety of trees on their farms—yet the study uncovered various obstacles.
Concerns among farmers included potential adverse effects, such as the risk of attracting harmful wildlife, degradation of soil quality, limited land space, insufficient time and knowledge, alongside adherence to local beliefs regarding trees.
Bosshard noted: “We discovered that certain farmers were more inclined to expand the diversity of trees and shrubs on their farms, particularly those with higher education levels (such as college diplomas or degrees), heads of households, higher income, or those who depended entirely on farming for their livelihoods.”
To advance agroforestry practices that are advantageous for people, ecosystems, and the climate, policies must address these challenges while enhancing the supportive factors highlighted by farmers.
A similar strategy could be applied globally, ensuring that local contexts are adequately taken into consideration during decision-making.
The study received support from the One CGIAR Nature+ initiative.
