Abstract
This study analyses the effects of the Agriculture (Farm Forestry Rules) of 2009 on Trees on Farms (ToFs) in Lugari sub-county in Kenya. Using existing literature, secondary and primary data sources from online surveys, the authors evaluated the current status of farm forests in order to determine the impact of these rules on respondents from three randomly selected income-expenditure groups through online surveys. Case results substantiate that between the years 2009–2019, ToFs generated social, economic, and environmental benefits amongst landowners surveyed. Moreover, online survey results indicate that young people in the age bracket 18–35 years are increasingly adopting farm forestry contrary to long-held beliefs in the country. However, due to the unpopularity of the 10% rule amongst surveyed income-expenditure groups, and challenges experienced by ToFs owners, this paper concludes that the observed impacts may not be necessary as a response to the 10% rule. Besides addressing the existing inconsistencies, this paper recommends full implementation by transcribing the rules in other languages, developing inventory protocols for ToFs, and awareness creation on the rules in order to register an impact.
Highlights
Farm forests are increasingly gaining recognition amongst landowners
This paper explores the advantages of an online survey through Google forms shared through Facebook over face to face interviews and questionnaires in the case of Trees on Farms (ToFs) in Lugari sub-county within Kakamega County in Kenya to document the impact of the 10% Agriculture (Farm Forestry) Rules of 2009 in Kenya
This paper reports that these definitional challenges are bound to affect the implementation of the farm forestry rules as well because these rules emanate from the mentioned policy documents
Summary
Farm forests are increasingly gaining recognition amongst landowners. These forests, even though defined variously, in this paper they are defined as trees, whether occurring singly, in rows, lines, boundaries or woodlots or private forests and are often found in agricultural lands, many agroforestry systems, and home-gardens and roadside. Owners of farm forests are organizing themselves into producer groups and partnerships in order to maximize benefits. There are considerable policy obstacles that should overcome if farms are to produce products of the quality and quantity sought by markets and enhance incomes for farm families [1]. It is estimated that between 500 million and one billion smallholder farmers worldwide, grow farm trees, or manage remnant forests for subsistence and income [2]. Asia, Latin America, and Oceania have the highest potential for tree domestication towards sustainable development [3]
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