Domestication of Terminalia brownii among smallholder farmers in Eastern Kenya: a double hurdle approach.

Abstract

Evidence has shown that the population of Terminalia brownii continue to dwindle in its native range due to drought, agricultural expansion and settlement and over exploitation for charcoal, beehives, carvings and timber. High levels of exploitation accompanied by awareness creation on value addition remains an exit strategy towards poverty alleviation for improved rural livelihoods, hence, the need to support its domestication. Scientists and researchers have prioritized promotion of this species in Eastern Kenya. However, information on intensity of domestication of the species remained scanty. A sample of 346 T. brownii producers were selected using a multistage sampling procedure in Embu, Machakos, Kitui and Makueni Counties in Kenya. Primary data was collected using a pretested structured questionnaire while secondary data was acquired from the Kenya Forest Service offices in the study area. A double hurdle econometric model was used to analyse the determinants of decision and intensity of use of T. brownii. Results revealed that five variables that significantly influence the decision to domesticate T. brownii include; education level of household head, importance of farm to the household income,access to credit, dependency ratio and intercropping. On the other hand, education of the household head, size of the farm and total income from livestock sales influenced intensity of domestication of T. brownii. Therefore, there is need to develop programs to sensitize farmers on the importance of the species on their farms. Lastly, we need to promote structures for commercialization of the agroforestry products from this tree species to reduce unemployment.