HoAREC Repository Collection:

Do Private Sustainability Standards Contribute to Income Growth and Poverty Alleviation? A Comparison of Different Coffee Certification Schemes in Ethiopia

Sat, 11 Feb 2017 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Do Private Sustainability Standards Contribute to Income Growth and Poverty Alleviation? A Comparison of Different Coffee Certification Schemes in Ethiopia Authors: Mitiku, Fikadu; de Mey, Yann; Nyssen, Jan; Maertens, Miet Abstract: Private sustainability standards are increasingly important in food trade with developing countries, but the implications for smallholder farmers are still poorly understood. We analyze the implications of different coffee certification schemes in Ethiopia using cross-sectional survey data, and regression and propensity-score-matching techniques. We find that: Rainforest Alliance (RA) and double Fairtrade-Organic (FT-Org) certifications are associated with higher incomes and reduced poverty, mainly because of higher prices; Fairtrade (FT) certification hardly affects welfare; and Organic (Org) certification reduces incomes, chiefly due to lower yields. Cooperative heterogeneity importantly shapes these results. Results imply that private standards may not always deliver what they promise to consumers.

Can Coffee Certification Promote Land-sharing and Protect Forest in Ethiopia?

Sun, 01 Jan 2017 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Can Coffee Certification Promote Land-sharing and Protect Forest in Ethiopia? Authors: MITIKU, Fikadu; NYSSEN, Jan; MAERTENS, Miet Abstract: We analyze whether private sustainability standards can promote land-sharing between coffee cultivation and forest conservation in southwestern Ethiopia. We compare garden and forest coffee systems, including non-certified and Rainforest Alliance (RA) certified forest coffee, and evaluate yields, productivity and profits. We use original household- and plot-level survey data from 454 households and 758 coffee plots, and ordinary least squares and fixed effects regression models. We find that coffee intensification from semi-forest coffee to garden coffee does not yield any substantial economic benefits in terms of productivity or profit. We find that RA certification increases land and labor productivity and profits of semi-forest coffee production, mainly by guaranteeing farmers a better price and not by improving yields. These findings imply that in southwestern Ethiopia land-sharing between less intensive coffee production and conservation of forest tree species is a viable sustainability strategy from an economic point of view, and that coffee certification is a viable strategy to promote land-sharing and create the economic incentives for farmers to refrain from further coffee intensification.

Impact Of Prosopis Juliflora To Biodiversity And Ecosystem Services In Lake Turkana Ecosystem In Turkana County, Kenya

Tue, 10 Oct 2023 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Impact Of Prosopis Juliflora To Biodiversity And Ecosystem Services In Lake Turkana Ecosystem In Turkana County, Kenya Authors: Edome Akwee, Peter Abstract: Prosopis juliflora in Kenya has attracted an immense attention as a result of its invasive nature and altering Lake Turkana its natural ecosystems at an alarming rate. This attention has been mainly attributed to the impact this species has on the social, economic and ecological well-being of communities in the infested areas. The purpose of the study assesses the impact of Prosopis juliflora on plant abundance and species diversity; livestock and human health and ecosytem services in Lake Turkana ecosystem in Turkana county. Ecological quantitative data was collected by using cross- sectional survey research design. Quadrat sampling method was used to determine plants population size and density. Sampling plots were laid to collect data from the study area. The main sampling plots of 400 m x 400 m and sub- plots of 25 m x 25 m (225 m2 and square quadrats square quadrats of 5 m x 5 m (25 m2). Diversity index was used to calculate the Diversity index. A sample of 251 of respondents were selected from the target population. Questionnaires and Interview schedules were used to collect data from respondents. Data analyzed by use of descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. Correlation and Regression Analysis will be used to show associations between independent variables and dependent variable. A p-value of < 0.05 level of significance. The findings have established that the sampled study sites in Lake Turkana ecosystem have extremely displayed lower species diversity and species richness and mostly dominated by the same Prosopis species with average species diversity index of D = 0.69. The results have confirmed that the rapid expansive nature of Prosopis juliflora in the Lake Turkana ecosystem has affected the critical ecosystem of Lake Turkana shorelines hence impacting negatively the biodiversity and ecosystem services. P. juliflora species were subjected to ANOVA and the result of the study showed significant differences in plant tree species abundance and species diversity at level of significance (p<0.001). The reduced indigenous plant species distribution, species richness and species diversity is as a result of colonization and aggressive nature of the Prosopis species. The study therefore recommends that, there is need to reversing the trends in biodiversity loss of indigenous plant species and restoration of natural lake Turkana ecosystem by coming up with an integrated approach for effective management of Prosopis species.

Critical Review Of Prosopis Juliflora Species In Turkana County, Kenya: Current Status For Informed Policy Decision And Management Of The Species

Fri, 07 Jul 2023 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Critical Review Of Prosopis Juliflora Species In Turkana County, Kenya: Current Status For Informed Policy Decision And Management Of The Species Authors: P. E., Akwee; G. N., Nambafu Abstract: Prosopis juliflora is among one of the world’s most invasive alien species that is widely spreading in Kenya natural grazing lands due to its adaptive physiological characteristics. The species came from south Africa with the intention of benefiting the people living in the Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASAL), which ironically resulted in more harm than good. Turkana and Baringo are heavily hit counties whose people are suffering from the continuous expansion of land under Prosopis. Their speedy growth, development and colonization of an area are driven by the climate, existence of large herds of livestock, government policies and topography. To completely eradicate the species from agricultural land, it calls for an integrated approach that will bring together mechanical, chemical and biological methods of controlling Prosopis. To that extent, the Kenya government should enact appropriate policies governing its spread and detach Prosopis invested land from gazette government forest.