The place of agroforestry in the rehabilitation and utilisation of semi-desert environments of northern Kenya

Abstract

Increasing destruction and degradation of the natural resource base in the sand-duned landscapes of North Horr, Marsabit District, northern Kenya, are jeopardising efforts towards sustainable economic development. The Gabbra nomads of the area live under severe poverty conditions. Effo~s to assessand apply agroforestry practices towards the rehabilitation and utilisation of the area's vast rangelands are at a formative stage. To this end silvopastoral systems have been formulated designed to ensure continued provision of fodder for livestock, improved soil fertility, provision of fuelwood, conservation of water resources and land rehabilitation. Suitable technologies including semi-desert plants such as Hyphaene coriacea for basketry and thatching of dwellings and Suaeda monoica for dry season browsing by camel are possible candidates for further development. The potential to domesticate wild plants for conservation purposes exists. Unfortunately direct planting of trees on communal lands within the study area is low. This paper examines the dual utilisation of agroforestry practices for land rehabilitation and enhancement of economic production systems in North Horr dry lands. Some of the factors that have hindered the effective application of agroforestry practices in the rehabilitation of the semi-desert environment of North Horr are also discussed. It is concluded that by addressing some of these factors and issues through community education programmes it would be possible to provide an effective framework for increased community participation for sustainable landuse management using suitable agroforestry techniques in semi-desert environments