Agroforestry refers to a harmonious relationship between nature and agriculture that leads to environmental stewardship and community prosperity. In short, it means the integration of trees and shrubs into agricultural systems result in a more sustainable and diverse landscape.

In Kenya, agroforestry incorporates trees and shrubs, crops and livestock contribute to food security, conserves soil and water resources, softens the effects of climate change, and provides farmers with extra income.

The role of agroforestry in Kenya

Kenya’s economy is substantially influenced by its agricultural sector, which includes crops, livestock, fisheries, agroforestry, and related services. Agriculture directly contributes about a third of Kenya’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), with an additional 27% indirectly through connections to agriculture-based industries and the service sector.
Agriculture also provides jobs for nearly 70% of the rural population, which is dominated by smallholder farmers that are reliant on rain-fed farming, and thus highly vulnerable to climate fluctuations and extreme weather events.

Agroforestry is critical for Kenya’s sustainable agriculture because it improves soil fertility, increases crop yields, and strengthens resilience to climate change. It allows farmers to supplement their income by including trees into their farming, and selling lumber, fruits, and other tree products. In addition, agroforestry supports biodiversity and ecosystem services such as conserving water and enriching soil that is crucial for long-term environmental sustainability and economic stability.

Agroforestry practices in Kenya

Kenya’s agricultural sector faces significant challenges from land degradation as a result of soil erosion and depletion
of nutrients, which is made worse by the results of climate change. Agroforestry helps farmers to face the challenges and safeguard the ecosystem services needed for sustained productivity and climate resilience.

Traditional agroforestry practices include planting trees alongside food crops like maize and beans and  including livestock grazing in spaces among the trees. These practices have many advantages, including higher soil fertility, improved water retention, increased biodiversity, and additional sources of income from selling timber, fruits, and fodder. Modern agroforestry embraces scientific research and development programmes that focus on issues such as climate change adaptation, soil degradation, and food security. These programmes help farmers to implement agroforestry techniques suitable for local conditions and combining indigenous knowledge with modern ways to increase agricultural resilience and livelihoods.

Environmental benefits

Agroforestry systems help to stabilise soil to minimise erosion and improve soil fertility. The roots of trees help to bind the soil so that it is not washed away when it rains. Tree leaf litter adds organic matter to the soil that changes
its structure and allows it to retain more moisture. By improving the soil, agroforestry helps preserve biodiversity by
providing a habitat for a variety of plants and animals, including mammals, birds and insects. These contribute to a healthy ecosystem where all the parts work together to create a healthy environment in which farmers benefit from sustainable cultivation and harvesting.

Agroforestry helps to curb climate change by taking carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and storing it in trees and soil. The trees absorb carbon dioxide during photosynthesis, which helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, thereby combating climate change.

Economic and social Impacts

Using agroforestry systems in Kenya has resulted in higher crop yields of staple crops like maize, beans and vegetables. Cultivating trees for lumber, fruits, and farming with livestock, provides farmers with a number of revenue streams. They are not reliant on a single crop, which increases their overall economic resilience.

In short, by diversifying their agricultural activities and adding trees into their farming systems, communities that take part in research and development programmes, have been able to

•boost overall production and profitability;

•provide environmental benefits such as carbon sequestration;
•conserve biodiversity;
•improve natural ecosystem services;
•access to valuable knowledge, resources and support networks; and
•improve their ability to manage their land sustainably and enhance their livelihoods.

Agroforestry initiatives and projects

Kenya’s government is working actively to promote agroforestry as a sustainable land management method. The Kenya Agroforestry Strategy specifies important objectives and tactics for incorporating trees into agricultural systems, while government programmes give technical support, training, and financial incentives to farmers who implement agroforestry systems.

Government agencies also set rules and regulations that promote agroforestry while working with research institutions to develop clever techniques and technologies.

Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and community projects also help promote agroforestry through programmes that work directly with farmers to give training, resources, and assistance for incorporating agroforestry practices on their farms. These organisations create awareness of the benefits of agroforestry and promote knowledgesharing among farmers.

Challenges and solutions

The biggest challenge is a lack of technical expertise and resources and inadequate policy support. Farmers still use conventional farming methods and are unaware of the benefits of agroforestry. Even if they are aware of benefits, they still battle to obtain seeds and or seedlings at affordable prices. In addition, insecure land tenure and other land-use interests slow down, or halt attempts to adopt agroforestry principles.

Solutions include providing farmers with training and government extension services, building nurseries to produce affordable tree seedlings, and advocating for policy reforms that encourage agroforestry, help the process.

Collaboration across academic institutions, government agencies, and non-governmental organisations also help with share knowledge and make available resources. Community participation and including agroforestry into larger sustainable development programmes, help pave the way for incorporating agroforestry principles in farming.

Potential of agroforestry

Because of Kenya’s diversified agroclimatic conditions and the combined  efforts of numerous stakeholders, including the government, international research institutions and non-government organisations, the country has great potential for scaling up agroforestry methods. Stakeholders are speeding up the implementation of agroforestry by providing farmers with technical skills and raining programmes, and campaigning for favourable policy.

This holistic strategy improves food security, climate resilience, and sustainable land management, while also helps conserving biodiversity and improving rural livelihoods. In the following articles, we will look at different ways in which trees are used in agroforestry to enhance smallholder farmers’ livelihoods and the environment.

Source references

Agroforestry in Kenya (2024). Tracextech. https://tracextech.com/agroforestry-in-kenya/

Tengnäs B. (1994.) Agroforestry extension manual for Kenya. Nairobi: International Centre for Research in Agroforestry. Agroforestry extension manual for Kenya. World Agroforestry Centre UDC: 634.0.26:374.6(676.2) ISBN 92 9059 116 1 https://apps.worldagroforestry.org/Units/Library/Books/Book%2006/html/publisher.htm?n=1

Wanjira, E.O., Muriuki, J. (2020) Review of the Status of Agroforestry Practices in Kenya. Background study for preparation of Kenya National Agroforestry Strategy (2020 – 2030) World Agroforestry Centre https://www.ctc-n.org/system/files/dossier/3b/A%20review%20of%20agroforestry%20status%20of%20Kenya.pdf