Impacts of Carbon Sequestration Projects on Household Income, and Consumption Expenditure of Smallholder Farmers in Meru County, Kenya
Abstract
Mitigation of climate change has led to the initiation of carbon sequestration projects in the developing countries in compliance with the Kyoto protocol of 1997. The protocol goal was for industrialized countries to reduce their greenhouse emission by funding carbon projects in developing countries. The study focused on voluntary carbon projects involving smallholder farmer practicing agroforestry. The impacts of these projects on farmers’ household income and consumption expenditure were evaluated. A survey and quasi-experimental research design targeting 207 smallholder farmers was conducted in three wards within Igembe South Sub- County namely Athiru Gaiti, Akachiu and Kiegoi/Antubochiu. Data was collected from secondary sources and primary sources. The data was analyzed using propensity matching techniques. The results showed participation in the carbon sequestration program has a significant impact on the income (t= -3.8081 w/df 205, p=0.0002) at a significant level 0.05. Consumption expenditure of the participant was also significant (t= -4.7034 w/df 205, p= 0.0000). Exotic tree species were more preferred to indigenous trees species. Grevillea robusta (A. Cunn. Ex R. Br) although naturalized, was the most preferred exotic tree species (33.9%) while (17%) of the respondents planted Cussonia holstii (Harms ex Engl.) - an indigenous tree species. Income status of majority (86%, f=77/90) farmers participating in the carbon program increased. Expenditure status of majority (68%, f=61/90) of participating farmers in the project also increased. Savings, inflation, alternative uses led to decrease in consumption expenditure. The study recommends the carbon sequestration project be expanded in more areas, conduction of awareness campaigns to reach more farmers, increase of the carbon credit amount paid to the farmer, the project proponent and partners to continue assisting farmers with tree seedlings for free. The study also recommends use of multipurpose exotic tree species since they have a fast growth rate
Downloads
References
Abo, T., Toma. S., & Hailu.T. (2017). Climate change mitigation in Ethiopia: To what extent do carbon sequestration projects put impact on smallholder farm household’s income? Journal of Environment and Earth Science. 7(1) ISSN 2224-3216.
Alem, Y., & Eggert, H. (2015). Improving Welfare Through Climate- Friendly Agriculture: The case of the System Rice Intensification. Environ Resource Econ 62: 243-263.
Alene, D.A., & Manyong, M.V. (2006). The effects of education on agricultural productivity under traditional and improved technology in northern Nigeria: an endogenous switching regression analysis. Empirical Economics 32: 141-159.
Bass, S., Dubois, O., Moura Costa, P., Pinard, M., Tipper, R. and Wilson, C. (2000). Rural livelihoods and Carbon Management. IIED Natural Resource Issues Paper No.1. International Institute for Environment and Development, London. ISSN 1605-1017.
Blaufelder, C., Levy, C., Mannion, P., & Pinner, D., (2021). A blueprint for scaling voluntary carbon markets to meet climate challenge. Mckinsey Global Publishing. Retrieved on May 2023 at https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/sustainability/our-insights/a-blueprint-for-scaling-voluntary-carbon-markets-to-meet-the-climate-challenge
CRS (2022). Introduction to US economy: Personal saving. Retrieved on 1st Dec 2023 from https://sgp.fas.org/crs/misc/1f10963.pdf.
Danso-Abbeam, G., & Baiyegunhi, L. (2018). Does fertiliser use improve household welfare? Evidence from Ghana’s cocoa industry. Development in Practice. 29. 1-13. Doi:10.1080/09614524.2018.1526887.
Donofrio, S., & Thiel, A. (Eds.). (2018) Voluntary carbon market insights; 2018 outlook and first-quarter Trends. Forest Trends Ecosystem Marketplace. Retrieved on 23rd April 2023 at https://www.forest-trends.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Q12018VoluntaryCarbon.pdf
Environmental Services, Inc. (2014). Climate, Community and Biodiversity project design standards. TIST program in Uganda, CCB-001. Project No. V014077.00.
Fox, C. (2007). Smallholder farming and clean development mechanism projects- can they complement each other? Trocaire Development Report. Retrieved on 14th April 2016 from https://www.trocaire.org/sites/default/files/resources/policy/2007-smallholder-farming-carbon-offsets.pdf
Fox, J. (2010). How effective are public health education programs, unfettered farm markets and single sex schools. The University of Arizona. Retrieved on 30th May 2023 from https://repository.arizona.edu/handle/10150/195813
Gemechu, H, W., Lemessa, D., & Jiru, D, B. (2021). A Comparative analysis of indigenous and exotic tree species management practices in agricultural landscapes of South West Ethiopia. Trees, Forests and People. 4. Available at https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tfp.2020.1000
Hartoyo, B., Komalawati & Sahara, A. (2021). Analysis of income and expenditure of farmers’ household in the rain-fed area of Boyolali District. IOP Conference series; Earth and Environmental Science. 653(1). Doi:10.1088/1755-1315/653/1/012007.
Hoch, S. (2012). Can carbon credit help Kenya to become “green”? The relevance of the clean Development Mechanism for Kenya. Heinrich Boll Shifting. Retrieved on 18th June 2016 at https://ke.boell.org/sites/default/files/can_carbon_credits_help_kenya_become_green.indd_.pdf
Huang, J. (2019). A brief guide to the Paris agreement and rule book. Centre for climate and energy solutions. C2ES.ORG. Retrieved on 7th March 2023 at https://www.c2es.org/document/a-brief-guide-to-the-paris-agreement-and-rulebook/
IPCC. (2014). Mitigation of Climate Change. Contribution of Working Group III to the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change [Edenhofer, O., Pichs-Madruga, R., Sokona, Y., Farahani, E., Kadner, S., Seyboth, K., Adler, A., Baum, I. Brunner, S., Eickemeier, P., Kriemann, B., Savolainen, J., Schlömer, S., Stechow, C. von, Zwickel T., & Minx J.C. (eds.)]. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, United Kingdom and New York, NY, USA. ISBN 978-1-107-05821-7 hardback.
Jiang & Yan BMC. (2021). Comparing the impact on the prognosis of acute myocardial infarction critical patients of using midazolam, propofol, and dexmedetomidine for sedation. BMC Cardiovascular Disorders. 21:584. Available at https://doi.org/10.1186/s12872-021-02385-9
Kazmiercyzk, P., Fischer, C., Moll, S., Watson, D., Mortensen, F. L., & Zambryzycki, B. (2007). Sustainable Consumption and production. In Europe’s environment. The fourth assessment. (pp 251-290). European Environment Agency, Copenhagen.
Koome, K.P (2020). Influence of Project Implementation Strategies on Performance of County Funde d Projects; A case of County Afforestation Projects in Meru. A Masters Report, University of Nairobi.
KNBS (2019). Kenya population and Housing Census, Volume I: Population by County and Sub-County. Ministry of Planning, National Development and Vision 2030. Government Printers, Nairobi.
Lipper, L & Cavatassi, R (2003). Land Use Change, Carbon Sequestration and Poverty Alleviation. ESA Working Paper No. 03-13. Available at www.fao.org/es/esa
Machingawuta, M., Overbeeke, F., Kahlmann, K. & Barnow, J. (2022). Carbon finance for smallholder farmers and agribusiness. Analytical briefing on agroforestry solutions. CASA TAF. Accessed at https://casaprogramme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Carbon-finance-for-smallholder-farmers-and-agribusinesses.pdf on 6th December 2023
May, P.H., Boyd, E., Veiga, F., & Chang, M. (2004). Local sustainable development effects of forest carbon projects in Brazil and Bolivia: A view from the field. International Institute for Environment and Development, London. ISBN: 9781843694519. Available at https://www.iied.org/9240iied
Meru County Government (2013). First Meru County Integrated Development Plan 2013-2017. Available at https://www.cog.go.ke/cog-reports/category/82-county-integrated-development-plans-2013-2017
MoALF. (2016). Climate Risk Profile for Meru. Kenya County Climate Risk Profile Series. The International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) and the Kenya Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries (MoALF), Nairobi, Kenya. Available at https: //cgspace.cgiar.org/handle/10568/80454.
Muthuri, C.W., Kuyah, S., Njenga, M., Kuria, A., Oborn, I, Noordwijk, M. (2023). Agroforestry contribution to livelihoods and carbon sequestration in East Africa: A systematic review. Elsevier B.V. Trees, Forests and people,14. Available at htttps:// doi.org/10.1016/j.tfp.2023.100432.
Nath, C.D., Schroth, G., & Burslem,D.F.R.P (2016). Why do farmers plant more exotic than native trees? A case study from the Western Ghats, India. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment. 230, 315-328. ISSN 0167-8809. Available at https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2016.05.013
Njogu, E (2016). A map of Athiru Gaiti, Kiegoi/Antubochiu and Akachiu wards in Igembe South; Meru County, Kenya. Nairobi.
Prowse, M., & Snilstveit, B. (2010). Impact Evaluation and Interventions to address climate change: A scoping study. No 2010-7, 3ie Publications, International Initiative for Impact Evaluation (3ie)
Seeberg, E, C. (2010). Natural resources management and Environmental Department, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Rome. Retrieved on 17th April 2016 from https://www.fao.org/4/i1632e/i1632e.pdf
Sekaran, U. & Bougie, R. (2010). Theoretical framework In theoretical framework and hypothesis development. Research methods or Business: A Skill Building Approach. 5(4), 80-96. Haddington: John Wiley & Sons.
Shirko, A.T. (2014). Livelihood impact of carbon sequestration on local communities: A case of Ethiopia nature regeneration project in Wolaita, Ethiopia. Journal of Economics and Sustainable Development. 5 (22) ISSN 2222-2855.
Smith, J., & Scherr, S.J. (2002). Making forest carbon markets work for low-income producers. Centre for international forestry research (CIFOR). Inforbrief. 2. Retrieved on 14th April 2016 https://www.cifor.org/publications/pdf_files/infobrief/002-Infobrief.pdf
TIST (2020). Quantified TIST Small Groups. Accessed on July 2020 at https://www.tist.org/i2/newquant.php
UNFCCC (1992). FCCC/INFORMAL/84.GE.05-62220 (E) 200705. Secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, Bonn, Germany, 24 pp. Accessed on 7th March, 2016 at https://unfccc.int/resource/docs/convkp/conveng.pdf
UNFCCC (2008) Kyoto Protocol Reference Manual on Accounting of Emissions and Assigned Amount. ISBN 92-9219-055-5
Wimble, N. (2011). Meru and Nanyuki- building a sustainable future with carbon finance. Carbon Neutral Company. Retrieved on 7th March 2016 at http://www.carbonneutral.com/knowledge-centre/company-blog/meru-and-nanyuki-building-a-sustainable-future-with-carbon-finance/
Yamane, Taro. (1967). Statistics: An Introductory Analysis, 2nd Ed., New York: Harper and Row
Copyright (c) 2024 Winnie Nkatha Kibe, Benson Mburu, PhD, Ezekiel Ndunda
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
