Determinants of household forest cover in rural arid and semi arid lands of Kyome/Thaana ward, Kitui county.

Abstract

Forests are major sources of livelihoods for millions of people and contribute to many countries' national economic growth and environmental health. Kenya has just about 8.3 percent forest cover. Currently, the country's timber supply is unable to satisfy demand, and last year (2020) there was a national deficit of 7 million tons of timber. Factors determining the proportion of land allocated by households for forest cover are not clearly known. This research sought to determine the average area of land under forest cover at household level, factors that contribute to variations in areas of land devoted to forest cover, hindrances that stand on the way of increasing and sustaining household forest land cover and propose planning interventions that could increase household forest land cover in the study area to sustainable levels. The study employed a descriptive research design. The target population for this study was all the 6,350 households living within 308 square kilometers of Kyome-Thaana Ward. A sample of 100 respondents was calculated using the Cochran formula. The study used multi stage sampling techniques. Face to face interviews with household heads or adult representatives were conducted using a semi-structured questionnaire. Observations were also done. The study used both quantitative and qualitative techniques of data analysis. Inferential statistics included correlation, chi-square tests and t-tests. The average land under forest cover at household level in the study area was 5 acres. The size of land owned by the household was found to be the main factor that influence decision by the household head to have either small or large size of their land under forest cover. There was a significant association (p=0.038) between mode of land acquisition and land devoted to forest cover. Correlation analysis shows that land owned has strong positive correlation (r=0.947, p=0.000) with land devoted to forest cover. Correlation analysis also showed that land owned by father had a strong positive correlation (r=0.543, p=0.000) with land devoted to forest cover. There was a significant association (p=0.007) between livestock keeping and the land devoted to forest cover. Population growth that leads to conversion of forest land to crop land and settlements were the greatest hindrance to increasing forest cover in the study area. Changes in climate and the environment adversely affected livelihoods as household food security is in all circumstances affected. This study recommends deliberate investment in forestry, at least 10 percent of each household land to be under forest cover in the study area. Adoption of alternative sources of energy and fuel efficient cooking technologies is also highly recommended within the study area to minimize deforestation.