Research conducted among smallholder farmers in Kenya reveals that tree-planting initiatives must be tailored to accommodate the intricate social and ecological dynamics of local communities. As countries worldwide strive towards ambitious climate mitigation and biodiversity objectives, programs that encourage tree planting often fail to recognize the importance of local contexts. In Kenya, where the government sets forth a target to plant 15 billion trees by the year 2032, there is a pressing need to align these goals with the realities faced by farmers on the ground.
Agroforestry, the practice of integrating trees and shrubs into agricultural landscapes, holds significant promise for improving biodiversity, enhancing carbon sequestration, and promoting soil health while simultaneously supporting food production and providing vital income streams for farmers. However, a recent study from the University of Exeter underscores a critical oversight in many of these programs: they tend to promote a narrow selection of species, overlooking the rich tapestry of biodiversity that could be harnessed through a more diversified approach.
The research team, led by Ennia Bosshard from the Centre for Ecology and Conservation at the University of Exeter, sought to understand the factors influencing smallholder farmers’ decisions around increasing tree diversity on their lands. They conducted interviews with 620 farmers situated within the Kakamega forest landscape in Western Kenya, an area rich in ecological diversity yet facing pressing challenges related to climate change and land degradation.
Findings indicate that farmers possess a generally favorable attitude towards increasing tree variety on their farms; nevertheless, they encounter multiple barriers that deter their efforts. These barriers include fears regarding potential negative outcomes such as attracting harmful wildlife, concerns over soil quality, and not having sufficient land size or time to invest in additional planting. Moreover, traditional beliefs and local cultural norms surrounding trees also play a significant role in shaping farmers’ decisions.
The researchers highlighted that farmers with higher levels of education, higher incomes, or those who are environmentally inclined, such as heads of households engaging primarily in farming for their livelihoods, were more inclined to diversify the types of trees they planted. This insight is crucial for policymakers aiming to foster agroforestry practices that are beneficial not only for environmental restoration but also for improving livelihoods.
By addressing the barriers identified by the farmers, such as providing educational resources, financial support, and creating awareness around the benefits of tree biodiversity, there is potential for significantly improving the success of tree-planting programs.Tailoring these initiatives to consider local contexts and farmer experiences could yield dividends in terms of both biodiversity conservation and climate resilience.
Importantly, these findings have implications extending beyond Kenya. The understanding gained from this study can inform global approaches to agroforestry and biodiversity initiatives, ensuring that strategies are sensitive to and inclusive of local perspectives. This could pave the way for more sustainable practices that enhance both ecological and economic outcomes for smallholder farmers.
A call for more participatory and inclusive decision-making processes in environmental policies emerges as a critical takeaway from this research. Such an approach ensures that the voices of local farmers, who are key stakeholders in the management of agricultural and forested landscapes, are heard and integrated into planning and implementation processes.
The researchers argue that recognizing the intricate interplay of social, economic, and environmental factors is essential when designing and implementing tree-planting initiatives. Farmers are not merely passive recipients of policy; they are active agents with valuable knowledge and experiences that can significantly enhance program effectiveness.
The study was supported by the One CGIAR Nature+ initiative and reinforces the idea that successful biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation strategies must be rooted in the realities faced by local communities. By fostering collaboration and understanding, we can create a more effective path toward resilient ecosystems and sustainable livelihoods.
As we look towards the future, it becomes abundantly clear that enhancing tree diversity is not simply an environmental goal; it is a pathway toward economic sustainability and community empowerment. By ensuring that tree-planting initiatives are designed with the participation of local farmers, we can work towards a more harmonious relationship between agriculture and nature, benefiting both the ecosystem and the communities that depend on it.
With continued research, engagement, and adaptation of strategies to enhance tree diversity within smallholder farming systems, we can move toward a more sustainable future that upholds both ecological integrity and human welfare. The knowledge generated from this study stands as a testament to the importance of aligning conservation practices with the realities of those who steward the land.
Subject of Research: Tree diversity in agroforestry systems and the decision-making processes of smallholder farmers in Kenya.
Article Title: Understanding smallholder decision-making to increase farm tree diversity: Enablers and barriers for forest landscape restoration in Western Kenya.
News Publication Date: 28-Jan-2025.
Web References: 10.1002/pan3.10774
References: None available.
Image Credits: Credit: Ennia Bosshard
Keywords: Agroforestry, Biodiversity conservation, Climate change mitigation, Tree diversity, Smallholder farmers, Environmental policies, Sustainable livelihoods, Kenya, Forest landscape restoration.
