Abstract

Julius Rotich, Peter Sirmah ,Edward Mengich, Paul Okelo Odwor

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.