Semi-arid lands typically suffer from sustainable land use challenges including climate variability, declining agricultural productivity, low economic prowess and poor livelihood conditions. In order to sustainably address these challenges, agroforestry has been fronted as a critical entry point allowing for the integration of trees on farms and diversification of production in agricultural landscapes. Nevertheless, the contribution of agroforestry to socio-economic and rural livelihood in several developing countries remains debatable. This study determined the influence of agroforestry on rural income and livelihood of smallholder farmers in Machakos county (Kenya). The study was conducted using survey research design from a sample of 248 smallholder farmers, who were selected using stratified, random sampling. Data were collected using questionnaires and interviews. Results showed that agroforestry was adopted by 82% of the smallholder farmers as a strategy for livelihood improvement in the region. Total income was higher among adopters from timber, fuel wood, posts/poles and fodder. Adopters also had more money to spend on food, clothing, education, medicine and basic needs as a result of revenues from agroforestry. The overall gross revenue, net returns above variable costs and total costs were also higher among adopters compared to the non adopters due to sales of agroforestry products. The study recommends adoption of agroforestry as a strategy to boost rural income and livelihood.

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Sub Saharan African (SSA) region rely heavily on fuelwood for their energy needs and will potentially increase in the foreseeable future due to increased population growth in the region. The continued utilization of fuelwood in the region subject to inefficient technology of energy conversion is projected to put more increasing pressure on forest cover and resources. The decline in forest resources is a precursor to exploration of other resources that may provide energy to human, in which agroforestry comes in mind. Therefore, the aim of this discussion paper was to review the status of fuelwood consumption patterns in Kenya, while highlighting the status and sustainability of fuelwood sector in the country. One of the approaches to deal with fuelwood problem is to enhance adoption of agroforestry, with an aim of reducing the harvest of wood and non-wood products in forests through sustainable planting of trees in the farms. However, the main constraints identified in adopting agroforestry for sustainable forest management were: Lack of suitable laws, legislation and policy framework, unavailability of planting material, inadequacy of research and extension services, long gestation time, access to credit, and finally land tenure and security. In order to expand the adoption of agroforestry for sustainable forest resource use, there is a need for logical approach aimed in promoting a multi-purpose agroforestry system under local farming systems where there is still large land capable of sustaining the practice.

Land as a resource remains a useful in alleviating human risks through provision of food, water, energy and environmental goods/services. There appears to be intertwined relationship between land and climate change, where climate change is perceived as a threat to land, while land and land use remains a major factor in climate change. There are however, few studies that have explored these intricate interrelationships between climate change and land as a nexus approach especially at the local levels. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to bring to light the interconnectedness between land and climate change and land, as well as assesses land impacts on climate change, in Kenya, and further suggests strategies needed to address these issues from a multidimensional perspective in the policy-making process. Scoping review was used to gather data from academic journal articles, book chapters, global databases, national database and conference papers. The objective of scoping reviews is to provide a broad overview of the literature on a specific topic and identify patterns, trends, knowledge clusters, and gaps. The study also obtained secondary data from various sources in the study. The study established that land-use influence climate change through agricultural expansion, urbanization, activities in catchment areas, large scale settlements, deforestation, manufacturing and industrial activities. Climate change then impact the land through reduction in agricultural activities and production, negatives on the forest ecosystems, reducing water resources, as well as detriment to quality of human, animal and plants life. The study concludes that land use change is a major driver of climate change and climate change drives land use activities in a nexus. To further this research, the study recommends ways of exploring land-sensitive approaches to climate change and land use management in a nexus a approach. The nexus approach that allows for the inter-linkages, trade-offs, and synergies existing between climate and land resources need to be developed.

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