Methodology for Woodfuel Development Planning in the Kenyan Highlands

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The Kenya Woodfuel Development Programme (KWDP) has developed a three-tier approach to the study of rural woodfuel energy supplies. The methodology has evolved in the course of studying three districts (Kakamega, Kisii and Murang'a) in the densely-populated high- lands of Kenya between 1983 and 1986. The approach hinges on three elements: (1) district sub-regionalization based on low-level colour air- photography; (2) household questionnaire surveys based on a nested sample derived from the sub-regionalization; (3) a cultural survey through which prevailing attitudes to on-farm agroforestry and woodfuel issues are revealed. Additional aspects of the programme include a district-wide on-farm woody biomass survey based on the results of the air-photo survey and field work, and a farm typology which is being developed on the basis of all three surveys. Some of the more important conclusions which have emerged from this work include the following: (a) The integration of tree production into general farming activities is complex and deeply-rooted. Local farmers have an intimate knowledge of the benefits and weaknesses of the different trees growing in different situations on the farms. These are manifest in different ways among the sub-regions of the districts. (b) As a proportion of the total on-farm woody biomass, deliberately managed and planted woody biomass increases with increasing population density. (c) Contrary to expectations, as population density increases and farm size diminishes, the amount of land devoted to woody biomass production increases. In the southern third of Kakamega District, with rural population densities exceeding 700 per sq. km, more than 20% of the land is devoted to woody biomass. (d) Assuming an annual requirement of 1 m3 of wood per person, it is estimated that 31% of the district's farms experience a shortage of greater than 50% of needs. Only 21% have a surplus. Despite such a high proportion of land devoted to trees, the population densities are so high that these areas experience the greatest deficits.