Living stakes: Kenyan farmers introduce an agroforestry technology

Farmers in the Kenya highlands are using living stakes of Commiphora zimmermanni to support yam (Dioscorea minutiflora) and passion fruit (Passiflora edulis) vines.

The species is drought resistant and can be planted as green sticks which root readily, and grow slowly without developing large lateral roots which would compete with other crops, or canopies that would provide too much shade. The stakes thrive under frequent pollarding and are not killed by heavy plants climbing them.