Agroforestry
Agroforestry has the potential to contribute to climate change adaptation, mitigation and food security (Mbow, Smith, Skole, Duguma, & Bustamante, 2014; Mbow, Van Noordwijk, et al., 2014; Verchot et al., 2007). Regarding adaptation of Kenyan horticulture to changes in climate, agroforestry has the potential reduce the impact of climate extremes on crop growth. The shade providing tree canopy can create a suitable micro climate for crops to be grown. However, this shading effect could also hamper crop growth if solar radiation is blocked too much. Research could be performed to explore agroforestry options that would serve the local circumstances best (Mbow, Van Noordwijk, et al., 2014), in terms of biophysical (hydraulics, soil fertility) and financial (diversification, income risk) impact (Verchot et al., 2007).
Major side benefit of the technology is that it can be performed in degraded areas, where it increases soil fertility (Mbow, Van Noordwijk, et al., 2014). Besides, trees sequester carbon in the soil and their woody products, serving climate change mitigation. The trees’ products (being both fruits and wood) could be sold as an extra source of income, making the farmer less dependent on his/her horticultural crops (Mbow, Van Noordwijk, et al., 2014). Three examples of agroforestry practices are briefly presented below.
