Diversity and importance of local fodder tree and shrub resources in mixed farming systems of central Kenya

Gachuiri, Agnes; Carsan, Sammy; Karanja, Esther; Makui, Parmutia; Kuyah, Shem

doi:10.1080/14728028.2017.1316216

Cited by 14 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…Leucaena leucocephala, Azadirachta indica and Psidium guajava were reported as fodder species from the scarcity zone of Maharashtra in India (Gaikwad et al, 2017). Grevillea robusta, Persea americana, Mangifera indica and Carica papaya were reported from Kenya as fodder species by Gachuiri et al (2017). Most of the species identified in this study were also reported as fodder in different parts of Ethiopia by Azene (2007).…”

Section: Species Compositionmentioning

confidence: 52%

Woody fodder species in three agro-ecological Parklands of Arba Minch Zuria Woreda, Gamo Gofa Zone, Southern Ethiopia

Gochera¹,

Shibru²,

Kechero³

2020

Int. J. Biodivers. Conserv.

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This study was conducted in Arba Minch Zuria Woreda of SNNPR, Ethiopia on Parkland agroforestry practices in three agro-ecological zones. The objective of the study was to investigate the fodder tree and shrub species composition, richness, diversity and structure. Key Informant Interviews and Focus Group Discussions were held. In total, ninety 50 m × 20 m plots were laid and standard procedures were followed. Forty nine woody species belonging to 43 genera and 31 families were identified as fodder species. Fabaceae represented by 7 species and Combertaceae and Moraceae (3 species each) were the most diverse families. Mid altitude (H'=2.98) is more diverse followed by High altitude (H'=2.23) and Low altitude agro-ecology (H'=1.94). Species in the low altitude were densely populated and have large basal area followed by mid altitude and high altitude. The top most important species with highest Importance Value Index (IVI) were Ficus sur (51.90), Ficus sycomorus (46.484) and Mangifera indica (60.161) High altitude, middle altitude and lower altitude, respectively. Generally, in the study area, there were diverse fodder trees and shrubs, all likely sources for farmers to feed livestock. So, there should be strong management and conservation practices to ensure future availability, continuous awareness raising efforts, and further study should be conducted for nutritional evaluation.

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Section: Species Compositionmentioning

confidence: 52%

Woody fodder species in three agro-ecological Parklands of Arba Minch Zuria Woreda, Gamo Gofa Zone, Southern Ethiopia

Gochera¹,

Shibru²,

Kechero³

2020

Int. J. Biodivers. Conserv.

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“…The variety of trees species documented underscore the potential of agroforestry to enhance resilience of smallholders to present and future climate risks. For example, farmers in eastern and central Kenya maintain a variety of fodder tree and shrub species to provide livestock feed during the dry season (Gachuiri et al 2017), while majority of trees and shrub species maintained on farms in the Sahel support soil and water conservation (Faye et al 2011).…”

Section: On-farm Trees and Carbon Stocksmentioning

confidence: 99%

Contribution of agroforestry to climate change mitigation and livelihoods in Western Kenya

et al. 2019

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We test the hypothesis that agroforestry improves livelihoods and mitigates climate change in smallholder farming systems simultaneously. Data were collected using household surveys and standard biomass assessment approaches using locally relevant allometric equations. Summary statistics and regression analyses reveal linkages between on-farm carbon stocks and farm-and household characteristics. With an average of 4.07 ± 0.68 Mg C ha -1 and Shannon diversity index of 3.06, farm carbon stocks were significantly associated with farm size (r = 0.453, p \ 0.05), tree density (r = -0.58, p = 0.05) and the average size of trees on farm (r = -0.42, p = 0.05), but not by Shannon diversity index (r = 0.36, p = 0.080), species richness (r = -0.044, p = 0.833) or the number of land use categories (r = -0.192, p = 0.356). Timber was considered the most important use of on-farm trees before firewood and construction material. The results suggest that gaining self-sufficiency in firewood is the most important benefit with on-farm carbon accumulation. The focus on exotic species for timber production presents a considerable trade-off between livelihood options and environmental goals. Heterogeneity in local environmental conditions over very short distances, less than 12 km, significantly determine livelihood strategies and on-farm carbon stocks. These results ostensibly contradict that carbon storage in smallholder farms is determined by diversity of tree species, suggest that livelihood strategy can equally drive carbon storage and demonstrate the diversity of livelihood and environmental benefits derived from trees on farms.

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“…Increasing temperatures coupled with prolonged drought negatively affect forage quantity and quality; and consequently reduces livestock productivity (Dawson et al, 2014). Constant seasonal variation in forage availability increases the cost of feed thereby threatening the sustainability of the livestock sector (Fallis, 2015;Gachuiri et al, 2017;Lukuyu et al, 2009). Moreover, the scarcity of feed increases labour demands on all household members especially women 1 and children below 18 years (Tangka and Jabbar, 2010).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Socio-economic determinants and impact of adopting climate-smart Brachiaria grass among dairy farmers in Eastern and Western regions of Kenya

Maina

Ritho

Lukuyu

et al. 2020

Heliyon

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The sustainability of the livestock sector in sub-Saharan Africa is negatively affected by limited access to highquality fodder in adequate quantities. The effects of climate change further exacerbate feed availability. Therefore, there is a need to develop feasible cost-effective strategies for improving the year-round feed supply. Improved planted forages such as Brachiaria grass have been recommended as one of the strategies of alleviating feed scarcity, especially in drier agro-ecological zones. This study analyses the socio-economic determinants of adoption and the impact of adopting Brachiaria grass for feed sufficiency and increased milk production. Propensity Score Matching (PSM) method was used to assess the determinants and impact of the adoption of Brachiaria grass. Empirical results indicate that the adoption of Brachiaria grass led to a significant increase in milk production by 27.6% and feed sufficiency by 31.6%. The positive impact of Brachiaria grass is consistent with the role of agricultural technologies in improving the productivity, income, and welfare of smallholder farmers. The adoption of Brachiaria grass is influenced by age of farmer, tropical livestock unit (TLU), type of animal breed, perceived benefits of the technology, access to extension, and farmer group membership. The study recommends holistic policy approaches that promote the widespread adoption of Brachiaria grass. There is also a need for an effective information dissemination pathway for Brachiaria grass.

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Diversity and importance of local fodder tree and shrub resources in mixed farming systems of central Kenya

Cited by 14 publications

References 16 publications

Woody fodder species in three agro-ecological Parklands of Arba Minch Zuria Woreda, Gamo Gofa Zone, Southern Ethiopia

Woody fodder species in three agro-ecological Parklands of Arba Minch Zuria Woreda, Gamo Gofa Zone, Southern Ethiopia

Contribution of agroforestry to climate change mitigation and livelihoods in Western Kenya

Socio-economic determinants and impact of adopting climate-smart Brachiaria grass among dairy farmers in Eastern and Western regions of Kenya

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