The Commercial Profitability of Growing Hybrid Eucalyptus Clones in The Coast Province, Kenya

B B Kirongo,K Senelwa,O Augustino,G K Kimani,I Moses,L Etiégni

doi:10.7226/jtfm.20.1.35

Abstract

Due to the current high demand for timber, fuelwood, and building poles and the realization that tree growing may pay dividends in the short and long term, many farmers are planting trees on their farms. Farmers are increasingly planting eucalyptus partly due to the fast growth rates of the hybrid clones as well as the opportunity to earn money within a short time. In this paper we report on the profitability of growing eucalyptus hybrid clones in the coastal region, Kenya. Tree growth and cost data was sourced from farmers in Malindi, Kilifi, and Msambweni. Market information was sourced from hardwares in North and South Coast while tree growth models were used to provide average tree sizes at various ages. Results showed that a farmer could make a net income of upto Kshs.500,000.00 (USD6,250) in 5 years. Farmers in the South Coast (Kwale and Msambweni) spent more on transport than their counterparts in the North Coast (near Gede-KEFRI). This, added to the fact that trees in the South Coast (Msambweni) grew less compared to those in North Coast meant that farmers in the south made less profits.

Highlights

IntroductionGlobal concerns for renewable energy sources, especially in light of the ever increasing possibility of depletion of fossil energy sources and the negative effect combustion of fossil fuels has on the environment (e.g. green house gas emissions) have led to many countries resorting to massive afforestation and reforestation drives
Global concerns for renewable energy sources, especially in light of the ever increasing possibility of depletion of fossil energy sources and the negative effect combustion of fossil fuels has on the environment have led to many countries resorting to massive afforestation and reforestation drives
While in many countries in the world the emphasis on afforestation and reforestation has been precipitated by economic gains and wood selfsufficiency, in most less developed countries increased tree planting drives by governments, non-governmental agencies and rural farmers has largely been due to increased cost of living and the unassailable prices of fossil fuels for cooking and heating (Kingiri et al 2008c)

Summary

Introduction

Global concerns for renewable energy sources, especially in light of the ever increasing possibility of depletion of fossil energy sources and the negative effect combustion of fossil fuels has on the environment (e.g. green house gas emissions) have led to many countries resorting to massive afforestation and reforestation drives. While in many countries in the world the emphasis on afforestation and reforestation has been precipitated by economic gains and wood selfsufficiency, in most less developed countries increased tree planting drives by governments, non-governmental agencies and rural farmers has largely been due to increased cost of living and the unassailable prices of fossil fuels for cooking and heating (Kingiri et al 2008c). Unlike the afforestation drives of the yester years which were donor initiated and funded (e.g. the World Bank in the 70s), current initiatives are spearheaded by farmers (Kingiri et al 2008c) who are disappointed with the government's indecision but who have realized the real possibility of making money from tree growing while at the same time satisfying their own local needs for fuel wood, construction poles from their farms (Jagger & Pender 2003; Kirongo 2005; Kingiri et al 2008a). We look at 2 scenarios; 1) growing improved eucalyptus hybrids on a 5-year rotation, and 2) growing the hybrids for small poles in two rotations; one of 2.5 years and another 2.5 year rotation on coppice

Methods

Results and Discussion

Conclusion