The Influence of Household Economics and Farming Aspects on Adoption of Traditional Agroforestry in Western Himalaya

Abstract

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Tree establishment and management on farms in the drylands: evaluation of different systems adopted by small-scale farmers in Mutomo District, Kenya

“…The impact of gender on adoption of agroforestry is best demonstrated by the fact that some communities restrict land ownership and tree-based investment and exploitation to men (Kiptot and Franzel, 2011;Assé and Lassoie, 2011). For household size, it has been observed that large households have sufficient household labour which can be allocated to intensive tree planting and management while small households with less labour are more likely to adopt less intensive practices (Sebastian et al 2014;Mukungei et al 2013;Sood, 2006). Since the households in the study area had similar biophysical conditions, we assume that socioeconomic factors play a fundamental role in household choice of agroforestry adoption and a particular management system.…”

“…According to Mukungei et al (2013), household composition dictates how responsibilities are allocated to different family members. Sood (2006) also reported greater adoption of agroforestry practices through planting by households with enough labor, while households with less labor opted for less labor intensive practices like FMNR. Sood (2006) also reported greater adoption of agroforestry practices through planting by households with enough labor, while households with less labor opted for less labor intensive practices like FMNR.…”

“…However, practices, products, system intensity and structures differ considerably from region to region and site to site (Iiyama et al 2016;FAO 2013;Nair et al 2008). Both biophysical and socioeconomic factors influence species selection, locality of planting, as well as management intensity (Sebastian et al 2014;Mukungei et al 2013;Sood 2006). Adoption of trees in agroforestry systems is either through deliberate planting of seedlings or management of naturally regenerating seedlings or coppicing tree stumps, mostly from remnants of the forests cleared for agricultural purposes (Fifanou et al 2011;Fentahun and Hager 2010).…”

Bioenergy from agroforestry can lead to improved food security, climate change, soil quality, and rural development

“…) and natural resource management (Ong and Kho ), increase yields (Bayalaa et al. ), income (Sood ), and thus strengthen food security (Sanchez et al. ).…”

“…It is well-known that models that integrate woody perennials (trees, shrubs, palms, bamboos, etc. ) with crops and/or animals can contribute to climate change adaptation (Lin et al 2008) and mitigation (Budiadi and Ishii 2010), improve soils (Glover et al 2012) and natural resource management (Ong and Kho 2015), increase yields (Bayalaa et al 2012), income (Sood 2006), and thus strengthen food security (Sanchez et al 1997). Furthermore, such systems allow for food, feed, and several types of bioenergy to be produced respecting economic, social, and environmental sustainability indicators.…”