Factors Influencing Agroforestry Practices Adoption in the Central River Region Of the Gambia
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Date
2024-08-10
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Elsevier
Abstract
The world’s multiple landscape crises have placed agroforestry among the cost-effective nature-based solutions
with numerous ecological, social, and economic benefits. This study examined the farmer and land factors
influencing the adoption of agroforestry practices in the Gambia’s Central River Region. Stratified random
sampling was used to collect primary data from 377 households using semi-structured questionnaires and farmlevel walkabout observations. The study used purposive and snowball sampling methods to engage different key
informants. The results indicated that the agroforestry adoption rate in the study area was 52.3 %. Significant
differences between the means of agroforestry adopters and non-adopters were observed. Adopters held more
land size 0.66ha vs. 0.55ha, owned more livelihood assets (private land and livestock), and had significantly
more fenced lands. The binary regression model established that livelihood assets, land size, land fencing, and
gender were positively associated with agroforestry adoption in the study area. Conclusively, land-related factors
emerged as more predictable determinants of agroforestry adoption than farmer-related factors. Notably, age and
education, though important socioeconomic attributes, remained relatively the same between adopters and nonadopters, and were not statistically significant. The study recommends cross-cutting farmer and land-related
policies, as well as other interventions to boost agroforestry adoption. It further suggests a follow-up study to
quantify the actual cost and benefits associated with agroforestry adoption in the area.
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