Community efforts towards farms management through agroforestry activities in Western Kenya.

Abstract

The study sought to investigatecommunity farms management efforts through agroforestry activities in western Kenya. The study employed descriptive resea rch design. The population of 40 0 households along Kakamega forest was randomly sampled to provide requisite information to support this study. Household data, besides documented data from government of Kenya and other agencies, were used to reveal land - use agroforestry and afforestati on activities. The study findings revealed existing human resource potential to implement and manage a successful farm - based carbon dioxide arresting project through self - help organizations such women’s groups and business affiliation, which are available in communities. Further, the findings revealed contribution of a community - based group, Kakamega Environmental Education Program (KEEP), in marketing alternative income products such as butterfly pupae, energy saving stoves and tree nursery seedlings. The study recommended such energy saving stoves and alternative forest products by households as suitable initiatives in arresting of excess carbon dioxide and mitigating climate changes. The initiatives contribute to sustainable agricultural production in wes tern region of Kenya.