Impacts of Prosopis Juliflora on Land Use and Ecology of Salabani Location, Marigat District, Baringo County, Kenya

Invasive alien plants dominate ecosystems and are a growing threat to the delivery of ecosystem services. The ecological adaptation of invasive species over native plant species affects land use and structure of vegetation. This study therefore examined the impacts of Prosopis juliflora on land use and ecology of Salabani Location in Marigat District, Baringo County in Kenya. Satellite imageries of 1998 and 2012 were used to establish various land use classes, determine rate of spread of Prosopis and its impact on other land use. The study established that in 1998, P. juliflora had only covered 2,906 ha which is 4.2 % of land cover. However by 2012 it had spread very fast to 8,555ha representing 68.1% annual increment. Invasion of prosopis has reduced grazing land by 40.3%, acacia woodlots by 89.8%, and forest cover by 57.1%. The plant has invaded all land use types and in general 61.8% of Salabani Location has been lost to P. juliflora invasion. The invasion of P. juliflora has changed the structure of the ecology in Salabani location since the weed is allelopathic and coppices heavily. P. juliflora is now a threat to the ecosystem of Lake Bogoria Nature Reserve a Ramsar site. The study recommends that the government of Kenya should facilitate commercial production of charcoal from the plant, encourage and facilitate utilization of other products from the plant like steam energy, animal fodder, wax and medicinal value. The study concludes that the plant is spreading very fast and is becoming a threat to the ecosystem of Salabani besides other ecological benefits. This raises concern to the community and stakeholders alike hence need to manage the spread. Keywords: Invasion, Prosopis juliflora, land use, Ecolog

Socioeconomic Impacts of Prosopis Juliflora on the People of Salabani Location, Marigat District, Baringo County in Kenya

Alien invasive species are a threat to functioning and structure of ecosystems in the world. They affect provision of goods and services of ecosystems and have also ecological and socio-economic impacts on ASAL communities. The purpose of this study was therefore to examine the socio-economic impacts of Prosopis juliflora on the livelihoods of the people of Salabani Location in Baringo County. A survey was carried out on 200 randomly selected households out of the total households living in Salabani using pretested questionnaires. The results were coded captured and analyzed using SPSS computer program. Satellite images of 2012 indicate that Prosopis juliflora covers 8555ha of land as compared to 2906 ha in 1998 representing an annual increment of 66%. Survey results showed that 95% of the households use P. juliflora as the main source of fuelwood and produce 240 bags of charcoal per household per annum. The economic benefits accruing from products associated with P. juliflora is KES 169,400 per household per annum. Economic losses from Prosopis which are associated with its thorns are estimated at KES 128,000 per household per annum. The net present value of Prosopis is 21,244.74 while the benefit / cost ratio is 3.091 hence the study concludes that utilization of Prosopis is economically viable. The study recommends that the Government of Kenya should encourage utilization of the many products and services of the tree since the residents have underutilized it. Keywords:  Invasive species, Prosopis juliflora, Economic benefits, Economic losse

Invasion of Prosopis Juliflora in Salabani Location Kenya is Soil a Factor

Invasive species occur outside their adaptive and dispersal range. They are tolerant to climatic and edaphic variations and have adapted to harsh conditions of the dryland by their deep rooting system. They are a threat to functioning and structure of ecosystems worldwide. Prosopis is a leguminous plant that fixes nitrogen through symbiosis hence can directly affect soil nitrogen dynamics. This study sot to examine the relationship between spread of Prosopis juliflora and soil characteristics in Salabani Location. The study area was stratified into areas of high density, low density and zero density of P. Juliflora invasion. Soil samples were collected and analyzed for pH, Cation exchange capacity and soil nutrients. Soil analysis established that soil nutrients increased under high density P. juliflora stands than where there was no P. Juliflora. The plant increased soil nutrients through nitrogen fixing and lowered the pH which might have contributed to invasive growth of the plant. Soils under high P. juliflora density had seventeen times total nitrogen content than soils without P. juliflora and had more than four times nitrogen than soils under low P. juliflora density

Coping Mechanisms to Invasion of Prosopis juliflora in Kenya: Case Study of Salabani Location, Baringo County

Alien invasive species are a threat to functioning and structure of ecosystems in the world. They affect provision of goods and services of ecosystems and have also ecological and socio-economic impacts on local communities. The purpose of this study was therefore to examine how the local community in Salabani Location, are coping with the invasion of Prosopis juliflora. Results indicate that the local community utilizes the plant for charcoal production, sale posts, poles, and pods to improve their livelihoods. The tree is the main source of firewood. It is also used as fence against wild animals, poachers and cattle rustlers. 49% burn the trees, 28% uproot, 22% prune and 7% thin. No chemical or biological control is used. Cut stems are scourged using cow dung as source of fuel which burns for a long time hence effective. The Government formed five Farmers Field Schools to train and build capacity of the local people. The locals wear special sandals made from old vehicle tyres called ‘kinyira’ to protect them against the tough Prosopis thorns. They have formed cooperative societies to help sale their charcoal to avoid exploitation by middlemen. The introduction of bruchid beetle was put on hold as animal feed manufacturers test the viability of using pods instead of wheat bran. However, the Kenya government should release the beetles to help control spread of the tree as locals enhance and diversify utilization of Prosopis. Keywords: Coping mechanism, Prosopis juliflora, weed contro

The Impact of Microfinance Credit on Micro Enterprises’ and Entrepreneurs’ Household Incomes and Livelihoods in Butere, Mumias, Matungu and Khwisero Sub-Counties, Kenya

Grassroots institutions such as self-help groups (SHGs) exploit existing linkages with other stakeholders, within Kenya’s development framework, to enhance members’ development activities and improve their livelihoods. For instance, entrepreneurs who are members of SHGs in Butere, Mumias, Matungu and Khwisero Sub-counties operate MEs to generate or diversify their incomes so as to improve their households’ livelihoods. However, shortage of capital remains one of the major obstacles to the performance of ME-sector. A number of microfinance institutions (MFIs) provide ‘friendly’ credit to entrepreneurs; preferably those who are members of SHGs, to improve their MEs’ income, entrepreneurs’ household incomes and subsequently, their livelihoods. This study, therefore, aimed at assessing the impact of microfinance credit on incomes generated from MEs and subsequently, how it affects total incomes and livelihoods of entrepreneurs who are members of SHGs in Butere, Mumias, Matungu and Khwisero Sub-counties, Kenya. Descriptive and experimental research designs were used in this study to ascertain ME variables and assess the impact of microfinance credit on MEs incomes. A ample of 265 entrepreneurs, who were members of SHGs and owners of microfinance credit-assisted MEs located in 40 centres, was drawn using stratified and proportional random sampling techniques for study. Also, a control sample of 155 entrepreneurs who had not received credit was drawn purposely to aid in determining the impact of microfinance credit on MEs incomes. Data, sourced mainly from entrepreneurs and credit officers of MFIs, was collected using a semi-structured questionnaire. Mini-case studies and key informant interviews were also used to collect data. Data generated was analyzed using: descriptive statistics. The study found out that microfinance credit impacted significantly on MEs incomes, entrepreneurs’ and households’ incomes and subsequently their livelihoods. The study, therefore, recommends that the provision of microfinance credit to entrepreneurs operating MEs and who are members of SHGs, be strengthened in the study area as an avenue in the development of the ME-sector and improvement of entrepreneurs’ household incomes and livelihoods at the grassroots. Keywords: Entrepreneurs, Grassroots, Impact, Livelihoods, Micro enterprise, Microfinance Credit, Household Incomes and Self-help Groups.

The Impact of Socio-Economic Characteristics on Cash and Food Crop Production: Implications on Household Food Situation in Kisii Central Sub-County, Kenya

Socio-economic characteristics of households have significant implications on decisions related to utilization of household farms in order to meet food and non-food needs. This paper aims to establish the impact of socio-economic characteristics on cash and food production and the resultant household food situation in Kisii Central sub-County, Kenya. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 209 household heads drawn from three sub-Locations with the highest population density within the LM1, UM1 and LM2 agro-ecological zones. Data on gender and education level of the household heads, household size, farm size and household income was collected. The cash and food crop production data collected was the number of households involved in their production and the amount of land allocated to each activity. Assessment of the food situation was based on self-report by household heads in relation to levels of food availability within a period of one year. Descriptive and inferential techniques were used in data analysis and in particular, Pearson’s Chi-square test was used to analyze the impact of socio-economic characteristics on cash and food crop production and household food situation. The level of education of the household head (0.021) and household income (0.019) had significant impact on the food situation of households engaged in both cash and food crop production. Farm size had an impact on households engaged in food crop production (0.001). Most households were found to be food secure (77.5%). This study recommends that rural populations be encouraged to acquire formal education. Household income levels should also be enhanced through investment in value addition and establishment of cottage industries. Keywords: Cash and food crop production, Household socio-economic characteristics, Food situatio

Utilization and Impact of Microfinance Credit on Performance of Microenterprises among Entrepreneurs who are Members of Self-Help Groups in Butere, Mumias, Matungu and Khwisero Sub-Counties, Kenya

Self-help groups (SHGs) are important institutions at the grassroots through which members can exploit existing institutional linkages with other stakeholders, within Kenya’s development framework, to enhance their development activities. For instance, members of SHGs in Butere, Mumias, Matungu and Khwisero Sub-Counties, which comprised the study area, operate micro enterprise (ME) to generate employment and improve their incomes. However, shortage of capital, which is occasioned by the unwillingness of the mainstream financial institutions such as banks to provide credit to majority of entrepreneurs, remains one of the major obstacles to the performance of MEs. Thus, a number of microfinance institutions (MFIs) have developed ‘special’ ME-sector credit lending programmes, preferable for entrepreneurs in SHGs, in a bid to address the problem of shortage of credit. It is, however, not clear how such microfinance credit impacts ME capitalization, incomes and employment in the study area, which this study sought to investigate. Both descriptive and experimental research designs were used in this study to ascertain and assess the impact of microfinance credit on MEs variables. An experimental sample of 267 entrepreneurs who were members of SHGs and owners of credit-assisted MEs, located in 40 centres, was drawn using stratified and proportional random sampling techniques for study. Also, a control sample of 155 entrepreneurs operating MEs that were not credit-beneficiaries was drawn in the same 40 centres surveyed. Data, sourced mainly from entrepreneurs and MFIs, was collected using a semi-structured questionnaire. Observations, mini-case studies, and key informant interviews were also used to collect data. Data generated was analyzed using: descriptive statistics; and chi-square. The study found out that between the year 2008 and 2011, entrepreneurs had secured loans totaling Ksh 18,448,100 and spent 69.2 per cent of this amount on MEs. Microenterprise capitalization was the largest beneficiary, accounting for 79 per cent of the money spent on MEs. The loan money spent on MEs met 86.3 per cent of all MEs needs. Also observed was that credit impacted significantly on MEs incomes and capitalization levels, with insignificant impact observed on ME employment levels. The study recommends that MFIs and SHGs should come up with institutional control mechanisms to ensure appropriate utilization of credit so as to ensure better performance of MEs resulting from microfinance credit secured. MFIs can also consider lending to potential entrepreneurs who want to start new businesses in the informal sector, other than entrepreneurs already operating MEs. This will ensure significant growth in ME employment, as a ME performance indicator. Keywords: Entrepreneurs, Impact, Microfinance, Micro enterprise, Enterprise Performance and Self-help Groups

Linkages between Rural Poverty and Land Use in Nyando and Muhoroni Sub Counties Kenya

This study examined the relationship between rural poverty and land use among households in Nyando and Muhoroni Sub counties in Kenya. A Cross-sectional research design involving use of both systematic random sampling and purposive sampling was used in this study. Primary data was obtained using structured questionnaires to interview a minimum of 250 household heads from the two sub counties in Western Kenya. Data analysis involved the use of descriptive statistics. The Pearson product moment correlation (r) was used to determine the strength of the linkages between rural poverty and land use. The results showed that the Maize was by far the most dominant crop grown by 95.6 percent of the households compared to other different land use practices. In addition, results also indicated a significant relationship between rural poverty and land use in the two sub counties. The study therefore concludes that policies that increase households awareness on efficient and practical land use patterns that will help them break the vicious cycle of poverty given their diminishing sizes of land. Keywords: Rural Poverty, Land Use, land tenure, Nyando, Muhoron

The Influence of Agricultural Land Use on Household Food Security Situation in Kisii Central Sub-County, Kenya

Food security is a situation where people have access to sufficient, stable and safe food to meet their dietary needs for an active and healthy life. The aim of this paper is to determine the influence of agricultural land use on household food security situation in Kisii Central sub-county, Kenya. A sample of 209 households was picked from three sub-Locations within the three main agro-ecological zones of the study area. A structured questionnaire was used to collect the required data from household heads. Assessment of household food security status was based on experienced-based method. Agricultural land use was categorized into food crop, cash crop, fruits and vegetables and natural pasture and/or napier grass. The influence of agricultural land use on household food security situation was analyzed using the Pearson’s Chi-square test. Data analysis showed that 77.5% of the sampled households were food secure while 22.5% were not. About (65%) of the agricultural land was allocated to food crops, 25% to cash crops and the remaining proportion was left for other agricultural land uses. Cash crop (0.000) and natural pasture and/or napier grass (0.002) were found to have a significant influence on household food security while food crop (0.228) and fruits and vegetables (0.192) did not. The study recommends that more efficient ways of utilizing the land resource through increased use of high quality seeds and fertilizers to increase productivity. Investment in projects that enhance commercialization of small-scale farming in order to generate household income should be promoted. Keywords: Agricultural land use, Household food security, Kisii Central