Management of Prosopis Juliflora Invasion in Baringo County, Kenya through Utilization

P Tuwei ,Ebby Chagala Odera ,Jonah Kiprop ,Josephine Wanjiku

doi:10.7176/jesd/10-10-09

Abstract

Desertification in areas surrounding Lake Baringo in the early 1970’s prompted introduction of Prosopis juliflora . The introduction and subsequent invasion of Prosopis juliflora has over the years attracted attention due to its negative impacts. Despite all the misconception surrounding its introduction Prosopis juliflora produces a variety of valuable goods and services. The study was conducted in Marigat Sub County in Baringo County to determine the economic contribution of Prosopis juliflora enterprises to household incomes and employment. The study involved administration of a structured questionnaire to 63 randomly selected members of the six Charcoal Producers Associations. The data was entered and analysed using SPSS statistical software. Descriptive statistics was used to establish how adoption of Prosopis enterprises is contributing to: reducing invasion, livelihoods and income. Findings indicated that all sampled respondents are involved in Prosopis charcoal production as the major enterprise; while 54% deal in fencing and construction poles, 54% pods, 48% honey, 44% firewood 41% and 35% timber. Incomes from charcoal were about Ksh 93.7 million in 2016. Earnings per annum from other Prosopis products namely pods, fencing/construction poles and honey totalled Ksh 12.2 million accounting for 12.9% of the total earnings. Prosopis charcoal market is dominated by brokers. Lack of reliable market (39.3%), price fluctuation (27.1%), poor state of roads during rainy season (9.3%) and exploitation by middlemen were the main challenges experienced in marketing Prosopis products. From the study adoption and utilisation of Prosopis products is contributing significantly to livelihoods and income. However utilization of the species has not reduced its invasiveness. Keywords: Charcoal, Desertification, livelihoods, invasive species, Prosopis juliflora DOI : 10.7176/JESD/10-10-09 Publication date :May 31 st 2019

Highlights

Concerns about deforestation prompted the introduction of Prosopis juliflora in the semi-arid areas of Kenya in the 1970’s and 1980’s (Johansson, 1985)
Systematic random sampling was applied to choose respondents from the list obtained from the Charcoal Producers Associations (CPA’S) dealing in Prosopis products
A structured questionnaire was administered to 63 randomly selected members of the Charcoal Producers Associations (CPAs) who were involved in the extraction and utilisation of Prosopis

Summary

Introduction

Concerns about deforestation prompted the introduction of Prosopis juliflora in the semi-arid areas of Kenya in the 1970’s and 1980’s (Johansson, 1985). Prosopis juliflora is an evergreen tree native to South America, Central America and the Caribbean. It is a hardy nitrogen-fixing tree that is recognized as one of the world's most invasive alien species. P. Juliflora has survived in areas where most tree species have failed and in many is a nuisance (Mwangi and Swallow, 2005). The introduction and subsequent invasion of P. juliflora in Lake Baringo area of Kenya has over the years attracted national attention (Maundu, 2009). Despite all the misconception surrounding its introduction P. juliflora produces a variety of valuable goods and services including; construction materials, high quality charcoal, soil conservation and rehabilitation of degraded and saline soils (Pasiecznick et al, 2001)

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Results

Discussion

Conclusion