Management of agroforestry systems in Kenya

The key factor in forest management and agricultural practice is suitable land. That is what Kenya is short of; about two thirds of the country being semi-arid or arid. Forests in some areas of Kenya occupy prime land. Although Kenya has relatively little forest, the future may see some of this converted to agroforestry, a land use system that combines production of food and forest products, preferably on the same unit of land and on a sustainable yield basis. (author)

This document, on agroforestry management in Kenya, looks at aspects of agroforestry in terms of: soil fertility, animal feed, human needs, microclimate amelioration, the provision of nitrogen in soil, soil structure improvements, a domestic energy supply, and as a potential supply which can be maintained on a sustained yield basis. It also looks at: management concepts in agroforestry; land tenure and agroforestry; and the selection of appropriate species for agroforestry projects in regard to altitude and soil type.