Agroforestry – A sustainable way to reduce poverty?
The aim of the study was to investigate how agroforestry can reduce poverty and how the Vi AFP can contribute to a sustainable development. The study was conducted as a case study of the Vi AFP and their work in Kenya. The method of the study was a combination of literature review and qualitative interviews. The theoretical approach was an institutionalistic perspective on regional development. Regional institutions were investigated as according to the theoretical perspective they need to be acknowledged to achieve development.
The main findings was that the Vi AFP acknowledge regional institutions in their work in Kenya trough cooperation with local and regional organisations and by working with crosscutting issues such as gender and HIV/Aids. Agroforestry practices have the ability to reduce poverty through increased productivity which leads to improved nutrition and increased income possibilities. Thus the challenge is to reach the poor with the extension messages. The Vi AFP reaches the poor by looking at wealth ranking before going into an area and a high number of field staff. The sustainability of the program is assured by local staff and cooperation with local organisations and government that will remain in the areas even if the program withdraws. Thus the areas where the Vi AFP has phased out are few which make it difficult to draw any conclusion about the program’s sustainability.
Johansson, S. (2007). Agroforestry – A sustainable way to reduce poverty? Master’s Thesis. Department of social and economic geography. Umeå University.