Abstract:
Most developing countries today face major land use challenges including deforestation, increasing scarcity of tree products and soil degradation especially in the fragile agricultural lands. As a result, there has been a major decline in food production in most of these countries. ln such circumstances, agroforestry has frequently been invoked as a solution to problems of land and water degradation as well as an answer to shortages of food, fodder and building materials in sub-Saharan Africa. It is in view of this background that this study sought to examine the adoption of agroforestry technologies and its impact on food production in Kanduyi and Bumula divisions, of Bungoma district. Specifically, the study sought to: examine the extent of the adoption of agroforestry technologies among farmers in Kanduyi and Bumula divisions; determine the factors which influence the adoption of these technologies, and assess the impact of the adoption of agroforestry technologies on food production among farmers in the study area. The study employed various techniques for gathering data. First, a sample of 253 famiers was interviewed using a questionnaire. The second method involved the administration of structured interviews in which key informants were interviewed. ln addition, field observations of the main agroforestry technologies in existence and farm organization were conducted. Data was analysed using both descriptive (means, frequencies) and inferential (correlation and regression analysis) statistics. Secondary data was composed of documented information about the subject of agroforestry and food production. The findings of this study suggest, first that famlers’ awareness about agroforestry technologies has a significant influence on their adoption of agroforestry technologies. Second, socioeconomic factors such as the level of education and income greatly influence farmers’ decisions to adopt agroforestry technologies. Third, the adoption of agroforestry technologies has had no impact on food crop production in Kanduyi and Bumula divisions. Based on the study findings, three major recommendations are made so as to improve the practice of agroforestry. First, awareness campaigns should be undertaken to increase farmers’ awareness of agroforestry technologies. Second, the development of tree nurseries should be encouraged to enable farmers’ easy access to seedlings. Third, policy makers and extension workers should use a participatory approach so that farmers are involved in all stages of projects that involve agroforestry. In this way, they will establish their priorities and needs and make agroforestry work for their own benefit.
