INVESTING IN TREES AND LANDSCAPE ... - PROFOR

nonfarmed areas in infrastructure, fields surrounding schools or industry, and community parks—
provide niches where trees and forest fragments can be grown. At larger landscape scales, the
interfaces commonly produce a mosaic of patches and corridors that include an array of land uses
and features.
BOX 2.4. EMBU, KENYA: AGROFORESTRY AND GROWING MARKETS FOR TREE PRODUCTS
The growth in local and national urban markets for tree products has been the driver of landscape
restoration in Embu District in the central Kenyan highlands. A long-settled farming region, Embu District
was substantially deforested by the mid-20th century, with land use dominated by annual crops and
a tradition of farm agroforestry practice. Market conditions changed sharply with the development of
commercial coffee, expanding markets in the nearby capital of Nairobi, and local population growth.
Demand for tree products grew quickly, especially for building poles, farm-grown tree fodder for the
burgeoning smallholder dairy industry, tree fruits for local consumption, and other products. Improved
agroforestry species and technologies were introduced in the 1990s and 2000s that increased the
productivity of trees that grew compatibly with crops. As higher value trees were grown, Embu began
to import lower value products such as fuelwood from places like Mbeere. Over the past 25 years, the
landscape has been transformed to a high level of tree density, although little natural forest cover. This
change has been associated with significant increases in crop productivity and whole farm income.
Public agencies, NGOs, and national and international research centers have contributed to the improved
agroforestry systems in Embu. But most of the investment has been undertaken by farmers and private
companies involved in developing the supply chains and inputs for on-farm tree growing and marketing.
Important examples were tea and coffee factories, and the Kenya Cooperative Creameries (KCC) and
other milk producers.
Densely Planted Tree Cover in Smallholder Farmlands in the
Central Highlands of Kenya
Source: EcoAgriculture Partners.
Chapter 2. WHERE DO PRIVATE MARKET INCENTIVES CONVERGE WITH LANDSCAPE RESTORATION GOALS?
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