1.2 Contact details of resource persons and institutions involved in the assessment and documentation of the Approach

Name of project which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Approach (if relevant)

Soil protection and rehabilitation for food security (ProSo(i)l)

Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Approach (if relevant)

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)

Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Approach (if relevant)

Alliance Bioversity and International Center for Tropical Agriculture (Alliance Bioversity-CIAT) - Kenya

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

When were the data compiled (in the field)?

01/03/2023

The compiler and key resource person(s) accept the conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT:

Yes

1.4 Reference(s) to Questionnaire(s) on SLM Technologies

2.1 Short description of the Approach

Promoting the values of different trees and their benefits in agroforestry contributes to increased adoption by farmers.

2.2 Detailed description of the Approach

Detailed description of the Approach:

Agroforestry involves the integration of trees and/ or shrubs in a farming system on the same land where crops or pastures are grown. It offers significant environmental, economic, and social benefits. Agroforestry also enables farmers to diversify their on-farm income. Furthermore, it contributes to climate change adaptation and mitigation and improves the environment within the farm, especially soils. However, not every farmer is willing to adopt agroforestry. Trees and shrubs take up space that would have been dedicated to crops or pasture: this is a primary reason why farmers are not willing to plant trees and/ or shrubs on their farms. Similarly, many farmers do not clearly understand the values of some trees and shrubs. It is, therefore, essential to overcome the barriers to adopting agroforestry among farmers.

The ProSoil project has created awareness among farmers in Kakamega, Bungoma, and Siaya Counties about the more efficient and profitable tree and shrub-based value chains to attract farmers to agroforestry and pave the way for greater uptake. The farmers were targeted through their groups. Each group consisting of about 25 farmers, and with at least 30% women. Farmers are introduced to trees and/ or shrubs that blend well with their farming system. In addition, farmers choose trees and/ or shrubs based on the sizes of their farming land and their respective benefits. Farmers can plant trees and shrubs as single stands or integrate them into farming land. They can also plant agroforestry trees around their homesteads. A single stand can have, for example, mangos, avocados, and/or other trees. The project advocates for a more sustainable win-win approach where farmers and the environment benefit from an agroforestry system. Some of the benefits of trees and shrubs, as highlighted by the project, include the following:

a) Soil erosion control: trees and shrubs are planted on across slopes to slow down runoff and trap sediment (consequently, accumulating soil – this can form terraces after several years). Their roots hold the soil in place and reduce the impact of moving water.
b) Stabilising stream banks and gullies (e.g., Leucaena leucocephala, Sesbania grandiflora, Moringa oleifera, etc.): help to reduce soil erosion along streams and gullies when planted at the medium- to high-level watermark. Their roots hold the soil in place and reduce the impact of moving water.
c) Green manure (e.g., Sesbania sesban, Tithonia sp., etc.): from foliage and twigs.
d) Live fences (e.g., Tithonia sp.): used as boundaries to provide privacy and protection from browsing animals.
e) Windbreakers (e.g., Casuarina equisetifolia, Grevillea robusta, Leucaena leucocephala, etc.): planted in one or two rows/ lines closely together along the edges of the farm and perpendicular to winds to protect crops, soils, and structures from the detrimental effects of wind.
f) Fodder (e.g., Grevillea robusta, Sesbania sesban, Leucaena leucocephala, etc.): foliage is food for livestock.
g) Food (e.g., mangoes, avocadoes, etc.): a human food source.
h) Carbon sequestration (all trees and shrubs): they act as carbon sinks by capturing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

2.3 Photos of the Approach

2.5 Country/ region/ locations where the Approach has been applied

2.6 Dates of initiation and termination of the Approach

2.7 Type of Approach

• Both traditional practice and project based: farmers have been growing trees and shrubs on their farms but the ProSoil project introduced them to more beneficial trees and better ways of producing the trees e.g., through grafting.

2.8 Main aims/ objectives of the Approach

Aim: To promote the adoption of agroforestry.

Objectives:
1) To introduce farmers to the diverse benefits of trees in farming.
2) To encourage farmers to incorporate trees and/ or shrubs in their farming.

2.9 Conditions enabling or hindering implementation of the Technology/ Technologies applied under the Approach

3.1 Stakeholders involved in the Approach and their roles

3.2 Involvement of local land users/ local communities in the different phases of the Approach

	Involvement of local land users/ local communities	Specify who was involved and describe activities
initiation/ motivation	self-mobilization	Farmers involved in the training in agroforestry.
planning	interactive	Farmers consulted on where and when to establish demos of agroforestry tree nurseries.
implementation	self-mobilization	Although farmers are advised which trees are better for their farms, they are the final decision makers on which trees and shrubs to incorporate in their farms.
monitoring/ evaluation	passive	Interviews with implementing farmers.
	none

3.3 Flow chart (if available)

3.4 Decision-making on the selection of SLM Technology/ Technologies

Specify who decided on the selection of the Technology/ Technologies to be implemented:

• mainly land users, supported by SLM specialists

Explain:

The ProSoil project team provides technical support on the selection of trees based on the diverse needs of farmers, and the sizes and locations of their farms. However, the final decision to plant which type(s) of trees and where to plant them at the farm rests with the farmer.

Specify on what basis decisions were made:

• evaluation of well-documented SLM knowledge (evidence-based decision-making)
• personal experience and opinions (undocumented)

4.1 Capacity building/ training

Was training provided to land users/ other stakeholders?

Yes

Specify who was trained:

• land users

Form of training:

• farmer-to-farmer
• demonstration areas

Subjects covered:

1. Different trees in agroforestry and their benefits
2. Tree nursery management
3. Grafting
4. Agroforestry systems
5. Value addition to agroforestry products and marketing

Comments:

Welthungerhilfe contracted SLM specialists from the county departments of agriculture and environment to train farmers and carry out demonstrations on tree planting and value addition in their groups during sessions organized by the ProSoil project. Other farmers are learning from the trained farmers. These specialists also advice farmers during farm visits.

4.2 Advisory service

Do land users have access to an advisory service?

Yes

Specify whether advisory service is provided:

• on land users' fields
• at permanent centres

• Specific locations where the farmers interact with the technical officers and at their farms.

Describe/ comments:

Farmers were trained in their groups at specific venues during sessions organized by the ProSoil project/ WHH. Other farmers are learning from the trained farmers. These specialists also advice farmers during farm visits.

4.3 Institution strengthening (organizational development)

Have institutions been established or strengthened through the Approach?

• yes, a little

Specify the level(s) at which institutions have been strengthened or established:

• local

Describe institution, roles and responsibilities, members, etc.

Farmers have formed groups such as Ndati Development Self-Help Group e.g., to run tree nurseries. The groups consist of several men and women of diverse ages. Farmers develop funding and other support proposals through the groups.

Specify type of support:

• capacity building/ training
• equipment

Give further details:

Trainings in agroforestry, markets, tree propagation, etc.
Nursery materials and equipment including water tanks, seeds and grafting tools

4.4 Monitoring and evaluation

Is monitoring and evaluation part of the Approach?

Yes

Comments:

GIZ and Welthungerhilfe regularly follows up with farmers to check on the implementation of technologies promoted under this approach.

If yes, is this documentation intended to be used for monitoring and evaluation?

No

Comments:

This documentation in intended for keeping a record of SLM technologies and approaches.

4.5 Research

Was research part of the Approach?

No

5.1 Annual budget for the SLM component of the Approach

If precise annual budget is not known, indicate range:

• 10,000-100,000

Comments (e.g. main sources of funding/ major donors):

ProSoil project facilitated trainings on the SLM technologies under this approach, including transport reimbursement to farmers and trainers and remuneration to trainers during trainings. Farmers meet the costs of land preparation, acquiring seeds and seedlings, planting trees, and managing the trees. The stated budget is for training one farmer group of about 25 farmers.

5.2 Financial/ material support provided to land users

Did land users receive financial/ material support for implementing the Technology/ Technologies?

Yes

If yes, specify type(s) of support, conditions, and provider(s):

The ProSoil project through Welthungerhilfe supported the farmers (through their group) with trainings and setting up demo plots.

5.3 Subsidies for specific inputs (including labour)

• none

If labour by land users was a substantial input, was it:

• voluntary

Comments:

Farmers voluntarily provided labour at the demonstration plot and on their own land.

5.4 Credit

Was credit provided under the Approach for SLM activities?

No

5.5 Other incentives or instruments

Were other incentives or instruments used to promote implementation of SLM Technologies?

Yes

If yes, specify:

Linkage to markets for the tree and shrub products. GIZ, WHH, and the county department of agriculture and environmental invite farmers to field days where the farmer can link up with potential markets.

6.1 Impacts of the Approach

6.2 Main motivation of land users to implement SLM

6.3 Sustainability of Approach activities

Can the land users sustain what has been implemented through the Approach (without external support)?

• yes

If yes, describe how:

Farmers have established group tree nurseries as sources of seedlings and income. Some of the trees promoted under this approach can easily be propagated by farmers.

6.4 Strengths/ advantages of the Approach

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
Trees contribute to environmental management - increase in carbon sequestration (capture of carbon dioxide), control of soil erosion, and conservation of water.
Trees have multiple products, including food, humus, timber, firewood, etc.
Most trees do not require costly and tedious maintenance.

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Trees can be planted at the homestead. Hence, an added value of the homestead.
The benefits of trees go beyond the farm and the farmer e.g., beauty which is enjoyed by anyone who looks at the trees.

6.5 Weaknesses/ disadvantages of the Approach and ways of overcoming them

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the land user’s view	How can they be overcome?
Tree seedlings require a lot of manure and proper care to protect them from animals.	Farmers to make their own compost at the farm.
Some seedlings are expensive.	Increase awareness among farmers about seed preparation and tree nursery management.

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
Trees can take up land that would have been used for food production.	Proper planning of the farm.

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Extension Approaches to Promote Effective Adoption of Agroforestry Practices: Lessons Learned from Indonesia

Available from where? Costs?

Free download at http://apps.worldagroforestry.org/downloads/Publications/PDFS/PO19073.pdf

7.3 Links to relevant information which is available online

Title/ description:

Paving the way for greater uptake of agroforestry farming systems

URL:

https://www.niras.com/news/promoting-agroforestry-in-the-development-context/#:~:text=Agroforestry%20involves%20the%20integration%20of,dependent%20on%20a%20single%20crop.