Use and benefits of tree germplasm from the World Agroforestry genebank for smallholder farmers in Kenya
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ORIGINAL PAPER
Use and benefits of tree germplasm from the World Agroforestry genebank for smallholder farmers in Kenya Kavengi Kitonga 1 & Nelissa Jamora 2 & Melinda Smale 3
&
Alice Muchugi 4
Received: 8 February 2020 / Accepted: 11 May 2020 # International Society for Plant Pathology and Springer Nature B.V. 2020
Abstract The World Agroforestry (ICRAF) in Kenya plays a key role in conserving tree genetic diversity, thereby contributing to the delivery of ecosystem services in tree-based production systems. This study explored the benefits of using the two most popular fodder tree species among smallholder farmers, sourced from the ICRAF genebank: Calliandra calothyrsus (Calliandra) and Gliricidia sepium (Gliricidia). Through a survey of key informants and genebank users, we examined the benefits derived from the adoption of Calliandra and Gliricidia and the unique role of the ICRAF genebank as the main source of tree germplasm for Kenyan smallholders. The constraints to germplasm access could limit protein fodder supply and the intensity of fertilization in farmers’ fields, which in turn could affect productivity in livestock and maize sectors in Kenya. We find that improved food security, higher incomes, increased milk production, reduced vulnerability to drought, reduced soil erosion, and enhanced soil fertility are identified as the main farmer-perceived benefits linked to the use of Calliandra and Gliricidia. The findings demonstrate the importance of agroforestry in the delivery of ecosystem services, in the light of climate change and heightened pressure for sustainable agricultural practices, and the crucial role of the genebank in conserving and distributing unique, high quality tree germplasm. Keywords Calliandra . Gliricidia . Genebanks . Tree germplasm . Kenya . Agroforestry
1 Introduction Agroforestry systems are one of the possible solution pathways to the myriad of challenges facing the African drylands (Franzel and Scherr 2002). Nourishment, pest regulation, habitat, climate buffering, temperature regulation, and carbon sequestration are some of the ecosystem benefits derived from diverse tree-based production systems (Bromhead 2012). The optimization of these crucial ecosystem services is contingent on tree diversity. However, climate change, population
* Nelissa Jamora [email protected] * Melinda Smale [email protected] 1
Genebank Impacts Fellow, CGIAR Genebank Platform, Nairobi, Kenya
2
Global Crop Diversity Trust (Crop Trust), Bonn, Germany
3
Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
4
World Agroforestry (ICRAF), Nairobi, Kenya
pressure, and related agricultural expansion threaten tree diversity in Africa. The multifunctional role of trees as well as their projected importance in the context of climate change renders the conservation of tree diversity a serious priority for Africa’s agricultural landscape. With access to agroforestry germplasm, smallholder farmers have a source of food and fuel for consumption or income and could reduce their vulnerability during c
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