Field Trips

In conjunction with the Congress, a number of field trips were oganised to give participants an opportunity to explore more of Kenya and Tanzania and gain further insight into agroforestry practices on the ground.

Thika: Horticulture and smallholder agroforestry farm mosaics

Although Thika is giving way to Athi River as the industrial town of Kenya, the panoramic waterfalls seen from the Blue Posts Hotel are there to stay. This field trip too visitors to the small village of Kaha-ini - after Thika town to interact with our prime client - the farmer. The average farm sizes are less than one hectare but there is significant diversity in the flora and fauna of these smallholdings and in the management skills of the smallholder farmer. Fodder shrubs support a sustainable smallholder dairy sector that is transforming the farmers' lives as the diverse vegetation transforms the landscapes. You can sip some goat milk, if it is offered, and notice the instant effect.

Next stop was the Kenya Agricultural Research Insittute (KARI) in Thika which spearheads the country's horticultural research. The horticulture industry in Kenya is renowned with Fresh Products Exports Association of Kenya (FPEAK) having gained a reputation abroad for its standards. While the Horticultural Crops Development Authority (HCDA) leads national efforts in growing and marketing of fruits, flowers and medicinal herbs.

Participants then visited a nursery managed by the energetic Mr Njenga. This provided an opportunity to compare notes with nurseries in participants' countries regarding their roles in agroforestry adoption. The drive back through Ruiru and onto Kiambu road revealed large coffee plantations interspersed with residential developments (both competing land uses that exclude smallholders) that give way to the metropolis.

The final stop was a walk in Karura Forest, the fight for which, gave recognition to Kenya's only Nobel Peace Laureate, Professor Wangari Maathai.

Muguga: General forestry research and research on genetic resources

Kenya hosted the offices that coordinated the defunct East African Agriculture and Forestry Research organization (EAAFRO) in Muguga in the mid-20th Century. This area, covering over 1600 hectares, has been the backbone of agricultural research in the country. It also hosted the national headquarters of Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI) and extensive facilities of Kenya Agricultural Research Institute and KEPHIS.

Participants toured the Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI) headquarters including research sites, tree seed stands, live genebanks and a forest restoration demonstration site. On a drive to the peri-urban zone of Nairob, they were abe to see clearly that Grevillea robusta is the agroforestry species of choice in Central Kenya, and that it is being stretched to its ecological limits both in the very cold and elevated area (here) and in the hot dry lowlands too. Participatory species selection to match these zones is a priority for future agroforestry productivity.

The field trip continued to the uplands to view the Great Rift Valley and see the contrasting agricultural potential of the country. After seeing large plantations of coffee, flowers and other export products interspersed with smallholder intensive agroforestry-based farm holdings, the participantsl briefly interacted with Mr. Peter Kaigua, a leading private nursery operator at the Tigoni Chief's camp. At the Brackenhurst Baptist Centre, the restoration of indigenous plants species, many with medicinal value, was viewed.

Meru: Natural ecosystem and agroforestry practices around Mt, Kenya, A World Heritage Site

Mt Kenya is the second highest mountain in Africa and where the country's name is derived. Delmonte and Kakuzi are some of the large farms which are passed on the way there from Nairobi as well as coffee plantations and smallholder farms.

This field trip took participants first to Mrs. Purity Njagi's farm to see a true exponent of agroforestry. Then on to Meru where smallholder farms are growing 20 different crops with 50% crown cover of trees from over 100 different species. In Meru, visits included a farmer field school and the Kenya Forest Service (KFS). This group is one of many involved in rehabilitating degraded communal lands through tree planting.

On the return journey, participants were asked to observe smallholder agroforestry with tree species diversity giving way to planted Grevillea / Eucalyptus mix then Arundinaria / Juniperus mix. Also, undulating wheat farms and sheep ranches are giving way to flower farms as flowers are a high value export product for Kenya.

Kisumu: Biodiversity and Forest Mosaics Kakamega Forest and Lake Victoria, a shared ecosystem

Participants on this field trip flew from Nairobi to Kisumu over the Great Rift Valley, a key resource area for Kenya's GDP in terms of tourism as well as flowers and tea, and where considerable maize and wheat for the country is produced. Kisumu is situated on the shores of Lake Victoria, a water ecosystem shared by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.

The first day included a trip to Kokoto rehabilitation site where agroforestry interventions are helping in the restoration of heavily degraded lands. Having served for centuries for crop production, livestock rearing and as a source for timber, firewood and local medicines, vast areas on the eastern shore of Lake Victoria have been degraded heavily in recent years. Poor land management practices results in massive soil erosion that leads to reduced soil fertility and stability, most prominent in an array of profound gullies.

Since 2007, The World Agroforestry Centre and KARI have collaborated with partners to address land degradation resulting in displacement and loss of livelihoods. The interventions with community groups to rehabilitate land include soil and water conservation measures, indigenous tree planting and allowing the land to heal through natural regeneration. The results have led to increased vegetation cover from as low as 20% to almost 90%, reduced soil erosion and improved moisture retention capacity.

Participants then travelled to Kakamega Forest which covers just 240 square kilometers and is a remnant of the eastern limit of the Congo Rainforest. The high plant biodiversity (160 tree and shrub species alone) is unique in Kenya and the forest contains many endemic species, mostly ferns and orchids. Although best known for its avifauna, which is a mix of lowland and highland species (367 described), insects are abundant and some are quite spectacular, such as giant Goliath beetles, pink and green African flower mantids, and numerous colorful butterflies. Kakamega is also known for its diverse snake fauna, with over 40 species, although they can be difficult to find.

Tanzania / Kilimanjaro: Community-based forest management, multiple forest uses

Kilimanjaro is known as the highest free standing mountain in the world and as the highest point on the African continent. This trip was designed to show how local people on the mountain live and use the Kilimanjaro forest resources to sustain their livelihoods.

On the trip from Nairobi along the arid East African Highway, agroforestry practices in Western Kenya were observed; Eucalyptus grandis-camadulensis hybrid clones supplied by the Tree Biotechnology Programme that works in the three East African countries. The close spacing used combined with these water-thirsty species does not seem to be giving the desired results.

The dusty hills after the border crossing are in need of agroforestry interventions to rehabilitate the landscape. Following on from Northern Tanzania's arid volcanic landscape, the trip moved into the lush corridor between Arusha and Moshi, home to coffee plantations, banana farms and flower farms.

Day two took participants to the slopes of Mt. Kilimanjaro to experience the traditional way that local residents irrigate their banana crops, explore caves used for defense and shelter, and tour the abundant water falls. The mountain is a major water catchment area for northern Tanzania and the base is extremely fertile, producing massive amounts of water and therefore, attracting a large population. This is the home of the Chagga homegardens with multilayered landscape mosaics of taro, coffee, bananas and a wide range of tree species.

The field trip concluded wtih  a short presentation from the Ecologist of Kilimanjaro National Park (KINAPA) on the forest ecosystem and the national park.