Impacts of Carbon Sequestration Projects on Household Income, and Consumption Expenditure of Smallholder Farmers in Meru County, Kenya
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Date
2024-10-23
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
East African Journal of Forestry & Agroforestry
Abstract
Mitigation of climate change has led to the initiation of carbon
sequestration projects in developing countries in compliance with the
Kyoto protocol of 1997. The protocol goal was for industrialized
countries to reduce their greenhouse emission by funding carbon projects
in developing countries. The study focused on voluntary carbon projects
involving smallholder farmer practicing agroforestry. The impacts of
these projects on farmers’ household income and consumption
expenditure were evaluated. A survey and quasi-experimental research
design targeting 207 smallholder farmers was conducted in three wards
within Igembe South Sub- County namely Athiru Gaiti, Akachiu and
Kiegoi/Antubochiu. Data was collected from secondary sources and
primary sources. The data was analyzed using propensity matching
techniques. The results showed participation in the carbon sequestration
program has a significant impact on the income (t= -3.8081 w/df 205,
p=0.0002) at a significant level 0.05. Consumption expenditure of the
participant was also significant (t= -4.7034 w/df 205, p= 0.0000). Exotic
tree species were more preferred to indigenous trees species. Grevillea
robusta (A. Cunn. Ex R. Br) although naturalized, was the most preferred
exotic tree species (33.9%) while (17%) of the respondents planted
Cussonia holstii (Harms ex Engl.) - an indigenous tree species. Income
status of majority (86%, f=77/90) farmers participating in the carbon
program increased. Expenditure status of majority (68%, f=61/90) of
participating farmers in the project also increased. Savings, inflation,
alternative uses led to decrease in consumption expenditure. The study
recommends the carbon sequestration project be expanded in more areas,
conduction of awareness campaigns to reach more farmers, increase of
the carbon credit amount paid to the farmer, the project proponent and
partners to continue assisting farmers with tree seedlings for free. The
study also recommends use of multipurpose exotic tree species since they
have a fast growth rate
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Citation
Kibe, W. N., Mburu, B. & Ndunda, E. (2024). Impacts of Carbon Sequestration Projects on Household Income, and Consumption Expenditure of Smallholder Farmers in Meru County, Kenya. East African Journal of Forestry and Agroforestry, 7(1), 357-371. https://doi.org/10.37284/eajfa.7.1.2326