Bio-socio-economic Factors Influencing Tree Production in Southeastern Drylands of Kenya

Abstract

Empirical evidence on key biophysical, social and economic factors and their interplay for enhanced tree production in drylands of Kenya is scarce and scattered. The hypothesis for the study was that tree production in drylands was mostly practised by resource-poor farmers who based their decisions on a multiplicity of biophysical and socio-economic factors. Data were collected through a cross-sectional survey of 100 households using structured questionnaires. Sampling units were selected through multi-stage stratified random sampling procedures, and regression and descriptive statistics were applied in analysis. Findings suggest that tree production was used as a land use system mostly by those farmers who were young in age, poor and with modest levels of education. Apart from tree varieties, environmental and climatic conditions, tree survival was dependent on labour, germplasm, existing land uses, market access and availability of farmer, while tree technology adoption was dependent on farmer’s age, capital assets, product price and availability of water and farmer. Household male heads were heavily involved in all tree operations. Marketing of tree products was dependent on price, labour, capital assets and technical skills. It was concluded that tree production in the southeastern drylands of Kenya was practised more with resource-poor farmers who based their decisions on a multiplicity of factors. Measures aimed at increasing farmer accessibility to water and markets for the tree products are crucial in enhancing tree production. Exploratory research on ways of enhancing growth rates and economic value of indigenous trees is urgent.