Ethnobotany of pokot communities on bamboo species in the dryland areas of West Pokot County, Kenya

Abstract

Communities in dryland areas of West Pokot in Kenya rely on fragile degraded ecosystems that have led to famines, low productivity and income. Although cultivating bamboo provides solutions to part of these problems, the benefits of bamboo cultivation are species and site-specific. However, no research has established the ethnobotanical knowledge of bamboo in West Pokot, making it difficult to upscale its cultivation. The study aimed at 1) determining the level of awareness of bamboo 2) the uses of bamboo 3) factors motivating and hindering its cultivation. The study adopted an analytical cross-sectional survey research design. Simple random and purposive sampling techniques were used in selecting the study site. A Systematic random sampling technique was used in selecting households to be used in establishing local knowledge through questionnaires. Data were analysed using chi-square test of fit, chi-square test of association and cochran’s Q test of K-related samples. Results showed that farmer to farmer approach (38.9%) was the main source of information. Among the respondents, 70.6% of them were aware of bamboo out of which 67.6% were aware of its uses. The commonly identified uses were soil conservation (48.1%), shade provision (39.5%), fencing material (38.8%) and construction material (36.9%). The findings revealed that 74.1% of the respondents were willing to cultivate bamboo due to its environmental, economic and cultural benefits among others. However, inadequate knowledge of bamboo planting and management techniques (51.8%) is the main impeding factor to the cultivation of bamboo in the region. Therefore, forestry and agricultural extension agents in the county should sensitize and train farmers on bamboo establishment and management for farmers to realize its full potential