Significance of Carbon Farming for Improved Household Incomes in Baringo County, Kenya

Abstract

Baringo County experiences high poverty rates of 40 percent which is above national rates of 36 percent. Climate change has aggravated this by negatively impacting farm productivity especially because of the high dependency on farming. Despite this, sustainable carbon farming is with potential of generating income through carbon trade. This study analysed the significance of agroforestry in generating carbon incomes among households in the county. It used survey data of 380 households collected mainly through stratified random sampling. The two sub-counties of Eldama Ravine and Baringo central were chosen for this study because of their ecological diversity, economic significance, and vulnerability to climate change. The results showed majority (56%) of the smallholder farmers had very low awareness on carbon farming and selling of carbon credits. In spite of this, a majority (90%) of them had implemented farming activities that would meet the threshold for carbon trading. Among the 90% of respondents that practiced carbon farming, a majority of them (43%) practiced exotic and indigenous tree agroforestry, and 37% did fruit farming agroforestry. Results also indicate that the area provides an annual carbon sequestration of approximately 25,982.2 tCO₂e/ year, translating to an annual carbon income of 259,822 USD/year (KSh. 33,776,860), or USD. 56.98 (KSh. 7,407.4) per month. In conclusion, carbon farming and trading presents potential tangible income to smallholder farmers in Baringo County. This study recommends for improved sensitization of farmers on carbon farming and its potential in enhancing household incomes.