Tree Species Preference and Economic Analysis of Tree Nurseries in Dryland; A Case Study of KEFRI Turkana Nursery 2020-2022

Abstract

Tree nursery establishment is a major component in the realisation of the global efforts to climate change adaptation and mitigation. The desire to plant trees is a function deeply influenced by preferences in both social and ecological aspects. This paper was aimed at evaluating the community’s tree species offtake preference in Turkana and identifying the optimal seedlings offtake season for planting in the drylands. In this study, data collection involved the meticulous acquisition of information directly from the nursery tree seedlings’ offtake records. The process involved systematic retrieval of the quantities of tree species sold over a three-year period from January 2020 to December 2022. A comprehensive dataset of 590 samples was assembled, enabling a detailed analysis of tree species preferences and their economic implications within the dryland context. The data was fed into SPSS version 27 for analysis. Seasonality indices were calculated, and descriptive statistics were conducted. Excel version 2016 was used to construct pivot tables, line charts and bar graphs. The results showed that Azadirachta indica (neem tree) stands out with a 40.1% preference rate among the top ten species, attributed to its multifaceted benefits. Conversely, Terminalia mantaly (umbrella tree) holds a more modest 2.69% preference. Exotic species dominate the top ten preferred list at 71.44%, while indigenous species make up 28.56%. The seasonality index conducted indicated April, September, October, and November having the highest indices, suggesting a propensity for heightened demand and increased seedlings offtake from the Turkana KEFRI nursery. The study’s recommendations emphasise the need to initiate seedling production activities well in advance to align with the optimal seedling demand season, thus enhancing the overall effectiveness of tree planting efforts