The NPV and BCR of the latter were Tsh 10,934,669.90 and 3.59, respectively. Aggregated over a 20-year cycle, Gliricidia-Maize intercropping exhibited a higher Net Present Value (NPV = Tsh 19,238,798.43) and Benefit Cost Ratio (BCR = 4.27) than the unfertilized sole maize system. Results show significant heterogeneity in profitability indicators both in absolute and relative economic terms.
MANYLAND GIVE ITEM NPC SIMULATOR
Using data from the Gliricidia and maize models of the Next Generation version of the Agriculture Production Systems sIMulator (APSIM), this study estimates the profitability of the Gliricidia-Maize system relative to an unfertilized sole maize system. However, diversified information on the profitability of Gliricidia-Maize intercropping system in dryland areas is scanty. In response, the agroforestry technology intercropping of Gliricidia (Gliricidia sepium (Jacq.)) and Maize (Zea mays L.) was developed to complement conventional soil fertility management technologies. However, more training is required for the farmers to enhance their ability and potential to optimize agroforestryĭeclining soil fertility and climatic extremes are among major problems for agricultural production in most dryland agro-ecologies of sub-Saharan Africa. The study recommends adoption of agroforestry to maximize ecosystem benefits.
Overall physical and chemical attributes in the soil improved significantly with increasing age in years of agroforestry adoption. Nitrogen (TN), total organic carbon (TOC), Ca, Mg, Mn, Cu, Fe, Zn and C/N ratio were significantly improved (P < 0.05) in soils where agroforestry was being practiced. The soil physical attributes indicate that the proportion of sand particles was significantly (P < 0.05) higher among non-adopters while the proportion of silt and bulk density in the soil was higher among the adopters. There were higher net returns above Total Variable Cost (TVC) for the adopters (US$ 346.57) compared to the non-adopters (US$ 94.7), which resulted in positive net returns above Total Cost (TC) for the adopters (US$ 275.77) and positive operational costs above the fixed costs for the non-adopters (US$ 23.9) resulting in higher margins above TVC (%) for the agroforestry adopters (28%) Thus the overall gross revenue was higher among adopters.
Adopters also had more money to spend on food, clothing, education, medicine and basic needs. Total income was higher among adopters of timber, fuel wood, posts/poles and fodder. Provisioning services was dominated by fuel wood (84%), fruit and nuts (75%), poles (74%) and timber (72%). Ecosystem services obtained by majority of the households were supporting functions in the form of nutrient recycling and soil formation (81.5%) and regulatory functions in the form of soil erosion, water infiltration and micro-climate regulation (80.8%). Socio-economic aspects affecting adoption of agroforestry were access to credit, training and inputs were significant (P < 0.05) institutional factors affecting the adoption of agroforestry. Age, level of education, household size and non-farm income were significant (P < 0.05). Agroforestry was adopted by 82% of the respondents in theįorm of boundary tree planting (73.8%), hedgerow (69.4%), scattered trees in rangeland (51.2%) and alley cropping (37.1%). Statisticalĭata were done using chi-square (χ2), binary logistic Model (BLM), ANOVA, t-testĪnd bivariate regression. Laboratory for textural characteristics, pH, bulk density and micronutrients. Was collected following standard soil sampling techniques and analyzed in the Qualitative data were collected using questionnaires and interviews while soil data On sample size of 248 households’ selected using stratified, random sampling. Qualitative and quantitative data were collected at the same time. Study was conducted using utilized concurrent transformative design where both the This study determined influence of agroforestry adoption onĮcosystem services and livelihoods for smallholder farmers in Machakos County. Yet evidence ofĪgroforestry supporting these perceived benefits in rural areas have increased over the Agroforestry provides a number of ecosystem goods and services.
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