How fruit trees on Kenyan farms fight climate change
They contribute to biodiversity by providing habitats and resources for a variety of species, from pollinators to birds and small mammals, besides helping in carbon sequestration.
By Zablon Oyugi
yuzablon@gmail.com
Integration of diverse fruit trees into Kenyan farms is emerging as a game-changer in the fight against climate change, while also offering farmers a wide range of benefits.
Research by the Centre for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry (CIFOR-ICRAF) reveals that these trees not only help farmers increase their income and improve food security but also play a significant role in mitigating climate change and boosting biodiversity.
Fruit trees such as mangoes, avocados, and citrus, take up a large portion of Kenyan farms in the form of orchards, cropland, grazing fields, and even in soil and water conservation structures.
In a study across two counties in Kenya, 60 out of 158 tree species (38 percent) were identified as fruit trees. Their contribution goes beyond providing fresh produce; they are vital to carbon sequestration, helping to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store it in the soil and trees.
One of the major hurdles in tapping the carbon potential of fruit trees is the challenge of accurately estimating the carbon they store. Traditional methods have been costly and complex for smallholder farmers. However, recent breakthroughs in developing allometric equations (calculations that estimate the biomass of trees) have made it easier to measure carbon stocks, especially in mango and avocado trees. This allows for rapid assessments and helps farmers engage in carbon sequestration projects, opening doors to climate finance opportunities.
Moreover, fruit trees contribute to biodiversity by providing habitats and resources for a variety of species, from pollinators to birds and small mammals. This enhances the resilience of farming systems to the impacts of climate change. Farmers who diversify their crops with fruit trees gain multiple streams of income, improve their food security, and reduce their vulnerability to changing weather patterns.
Yet, integrating fruit trees into national climate strategies is not without its pitfalls. A key issue is the need for standardised, region-specific methodologies for measuring carbon sequestration potential. While carbon markets present exciting opportunities for farmers, the systems for measuring, reporting, and verifying carbon sequestration are still evolving, and there are risks that need to be carefully managed.
The research calls for the development of practical, affordable, and reliable methods to accurately measure carbon storage in fruit trees. By overcoming these barriers, farmers can tap the potential of carbon finance and continue to play a crucial role in mitigating climate change and enriching biodiversity.