Abstract
Formal tree producer associations are critical for the sustainable management of private commercial farm forests in Kenya. However, there is limited information on their current status and the key factors driving their operations in the country. This paper sought to address this informational gap by reviewing the existing literature in the country from the theoretical background of sustainable development and later validating the obtained findings with the current state of knowledge at regional and global levels. Results from document content analysis indicate that there are over 10,000 tree growing farmers organized into planting groups across the country after many years of piloting by the government and private sector players. At the national level, there are two associations. These include Kenya Forest Growers Association (KEFGA), mainly composed of large scale planters, and Farm Forestry Smallholder Producers Association of Kenya (FFSPAK), targeting small-holders. Besides these two, six major sub-national associations are seeking to improve members’ welfare by enhancing the acquisition of livelihood assets. Further, various socio-cultural, economic, and political factors affect their operations in Kenya. These associations have deployed multiple strategies to benefit their members. However, the formation of savings and credit cooperative societies (SACCOs) seems to be their preferred mode of community empowerment. In conclusion, even though these associations are still at the infancy stage, their future remains promising in-view of the observed behavioral change in their governance, which appears to favor entrenched equality and equity towards sustainable development.
Highlights
Tree producer associations involved in private commercial forestry have the capacity to address the growing wood demands in developing countries and hasten strides towards sustainable development if the factors that affect their operation are clearly understood and documented
In this paper we argue that the existing tree producer associations involved in private commercial forests in Kenya can contribute immensely to addressing growing wood demand in the country, but the limited information on their current status, especially the key factors affecting their growth and operation, is slowing the achievement of sustainable forest management and socio-economic development in Kenya
In general, according to Cheboiywo, farm forestry for large landholdings is on the rise due to demand for transmission poles and sawn timber
Summary
Tree producer associations involved in private commercial forestry have the capacity to address the growing wood demands in developing countries and hasten strides towards sustainable development if the factors that affect their operation are clearly understood and documented. From their nature, tree producer associations represent the collective voices of farmers, forest-dependent people, indigenous groups, and rural communities. Tree producer associations represent the collective voices of farmers, forest-dependent people, indigenous groups, and rural communities They provide essential services to their members and are the building blocks of local democracy, which is often questionable in many developing countries. The Act proposes an exemption from payment of all or part of land rates or other such charges as may be levied to landowners with private forests, as well as income and other tax deductions to landowners, in exchange for forest conservation easements
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