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Research Paper | Ecology | Kenya | Volume 2 Issue 4, April 2013

Benefits of Agroforestry Farming Practices among Rural Households in Kenya: Experiences among Residents of Busia County

Agnes Mugure ^[2] | Peter Oino ^[6]

Abstract: Despite the low rates of adoption of agroforestry practices among famers in Kenya, agroforestry remains an important component of sustainable land use and development in agricultural production and reduction of food insecurity. This papers agues that rural poverty continues to increase despite the fact that agroforestry practices are capable of reducing poverty levels. This notwithstanding, agroforestry practices have also been slowly adopted by rural population. Thus, the growing food insecurity and the fading livelihood opportunities are partly attributed to lack of appropriate policies and inadequate awareness on the benefits of agroforestry in reducing rural poverty. If integrated at the household level, agroforestry has the potential to provide economic, social and environmental benefits that are capable of addressing household income, livelihoods and food insecurity and environment related challenges. This paper concludes that there is need for concerted efforts at local, national and international levels to take advantage of the benefits of agroforestry; promote best land use practices as well as develop and implement appropriate policies for the benefit of rural households. This paper recommends that to ensure promotion of sustainability of agroforestry activities, the rural households’ participation is fundamental in trainings on how to improve their productivity and maximize the benefits of agroforestry. Additionally, agroforestry information on management of agroforestry systems needs to be communicated in a simpler manner for easy understanding and interpretation by all farmers at the rural households.

Keywords: Agroforestry, Rural households, Farming practices, Kenya

Edition: Volume 2 Issue 4, April 2013,

Pages: 442 - 449

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