The Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR and World Agroforestry (ICRAF) joined forces in 2019, leveraging a combined 65 years’ experience in research on the role of forests and trees in solving critical global challenges.
Year
2020
Authors
Koech GKoech G
, Wanjira E O, Kirimi M, Siko I, Sola PSola P
, Bourne MBourne M
, Muriuki JMuriuki J
, Njenga MNjenga M
Grace Koech is a young enthusiastic scientist trained in Bachelor of science in ...
Sola P
Scientist at the World Agroforestry (ICRAF) working on natural resources governance and bioenergy
Phosiso Sola is a scientist working on natural resources governance, bioenergy a...
Mieke Bourne is an engagement process specialist for science, practice and polic...
Jonathan Muriuki has his career objective as pursuit of research and development...
Mary Njenga is a Bioenergy Research Scientist at World Agroforestry (ICRAF)...
In
- Magazine articles
Access
Region
About a third of the world's population relies on solid biomass for cooking and heating using traditional stoves. Of those users, 50% are in developing countries especially Sub-Saharan Africa where 90% of households rely on woodfuel (charcoal and firewood) for cooking and heating. By 2013, Kenya used 2.5 million tonnes of charcoal and earned 1.6 billion USD annually, despite the deficit in supply of 55%. This growing demand for charcoal following urbanization and population increase and the need to find sustainable solutions for supply, are good reasons to utilize the invasive mathenge tree (Prosopis juliflora) which covers 2% of the land in Kenya with a biomass of 37t/ha utilizable for charcoal production. A study was conducted in Baringo County under the Governing Multifunctional Landscapes (GML) implemented by ICRAF and CIFOR and supported by EU. This write up presents part of projects work that aimed at establishing the evolution of people's perceptions on Prosopis, gender roles in its management and associated benefits and challenges. The study used Focused Group Discussions (FGD), seasonal and livelihood calendars, participatory visioning and mapping and training of trainers delivered in partnership with KEFRI. Analysis from the project has showed that the species has potential to provide communities with 14 different products and services with charcoal ranking highest and food for humans the lowest. In terms of contribution to livelihoods, both men and women rank charcoal among the top three livelihood sources after farming and livestock keeping. Pods, another product from Prosopis can be sold as feed for livestock at KES 100 (USD1) per 50kg bag. Management by utilization of the almost 19,000 hectares of Prosopis juliflora in Baringo for sustainable charcoal production presents potential for improving livelihoods and the environment. It presents an opportunity for supplying the growing urban centers with affordable cooking fuel, a strategy that can be scaled out to the other affected counties. Also, there is need for complete removal of mathenge in some pockets to create room for enrichment with native high value multipurpose tree species to enhance biodiversity.



