TITLE:
Socioeconomic Factors Influencing the Adoption of Cenchrus ciliaris among the Pastoralist Communities in South Baringo, Kenya
AUTHORS:
Nyambari Davis Mathew, Ogendi George Morara, Atalitsa Caren Navalia
KEYWORDS:
Cenchrus ciliaris, Pasture, Ecology, Conservation
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Ecology,
Vol.14 No.8,
August
30,
2024
ABSTRACT: Land degradation poses significant threats to food and environmental security globally. In arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs), livestock production is an important and significant livelihood. Unfortunately, overstocking and overgrazing have diminished pasture availability, and thus adversely impacting on the sector’s contribution to food security for many ASAL communities. The Global Environment Facility’s Small Grants Program in its quest to combat soil erosion, deforestation, and Prosopis juliflora invasion in the Lake Bogoria Landscape, Baringo County, Kenya has supported the establishment of Cenchrus ciliaris (buffel grass) since 2018. Despite its introduction and establishment, the socioeconomic factors influencing its adoption remain undocumented. This study evaluated these factors in three administrative wards, namely: Ilchamus, Mochongoi, and Marigat of Baringo South Sub-County. Data was collected from 103 households using a semi-structured questionnaire, key informant interviews (KIIs), and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs). Our results revealed that Cenchrus ciliaris adoption has partially reduced soil erosion and deforestation, improved livelihoods and environmental conservation. Nearly 50% of the respondents have established 2 to 5 acres of buffel grass pasturelands on their farms. The level of education of the respondents for had a significant association with the participants’ knowledge regarding the advantages of pasture production for environmental conservation (χ2 = 16.93; p χ2 = 77.71; p χ2 = 18.3; p χ2 = 3.8; p Cenchrus ciliaris value chain are recommended as practical strategies of enhancing livestock production and environmental conservation in Kenya’s ASALs.