Agroforestry

Agroforestry is basically practicing agriculture incorporating the planting of trees,` GMEI is borrowing a leave from one of its community coordinator who started practicing Agroforestry in the year 2014. He wanted to set an example of how land could be utilized besides growing crops. He planted 5 acres of land with Pine tree seedlings. He bought a total of 10,000 tree seedlings.

This intentional combination of agriculture and forestry has varied benefits, including increased biodiversity and reduced erosion. Integrating tree species like Grevelia, Casaurina and Pine in farms will improve the moisture and humus content of the soil. Casaurina is a good wind breaker for Avocado and Tree Tomato farming that is gaining acceptance in the area. This will also produce adaptive benefits like water availability, attracting pollinators and improving biodiversity. This eventually will lead to Apiculture which will be an added source of income. GMEI will work closely with the Kenya Forest Services (KFS) in the selection of species so that plants will not compete but collaborate

Benefits

• Control of runoff and soil erosion, thereby reducing losses of water, soil material, organic matter and nutrients
• The decomposition of tree and pruning can substantially contribute to maintenance of soil fertility
• Agro forestry can provide a more diverse farm economy and stimulate the whole rural economy, leading to more stable farms and communities. Economics risks are reduced when systems produce multiple products
• They can be employed to reclaim eroded and degraded land