LOCAL KNOWLEDGE OF TREE ATTRIBUTES UNDERPINS SPECIES SELECTION ON COFFEE FARMS

What is it about?

This paper explores local knowledge of smallholder farmers in Central Kenya and the reasons behind their selection of certain tree species to plant or retain in coffee plots.

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Why is it important?

Historically in Kenya smallholder coffee farmers have been advised not to grow anything with their coffee crop despite it being a shade tolerant species. There is the potential to increase the ecosystem services and products provided by these systems but extension advice and coffee factory recommendations need to change for this to happen more widely across the landscape.