Assessing Status of Agroecological Biodiversity in Smallholder farming: Evidence from FAO TAPE Tool Localization in Busia County, Kenya
Main Article Content
Keywords
Agroecological biodiversity, agroecology, Busia County, crop diversity, FAO TAPE tool, , livestock diversity
Abstract
Agroecological biodiversity is the variety and variability of above ground organisms, that is crops, livestock, trees, and activities considered under agricultural systems. This study investigated the extent of above ground agroecological biodiversity among small-scale farmers in Busia County. Agroecological diversity (above ground) was measured using four indicators of the FAO's Tool for Agroecology Performance Evaluation-TAPE: crop, livestock, tree, and activity diversity. Administrative wards were purposively selected where a sample size of 210 was sourced. Households were randomly selected, top 35 households, within those administrative wards. For administrative wards with less than 35 households, snowballing was conducted to reach the required number of households. Snowballing was also conducted to households that were unavailable and to those who did not give consent. Data was collected through structured questionnaires and administered to respondents by trained enumerators. The results revealed that the agroecological biodiversity scores recorded: 40.5%, 31.25%, 45.5%, and 41.75%, for crops, livestock, trees, and activities, respectively, with an overall score of 39.75%. This interprets to unsustainable extent of practice, reflecting missed opportunities to harness agroecological biodiversity. Farmer education and technical extension by up to date standardized trained officers on agroecological biodiversity can be strengthened through mass media, agricultural shows, and farmer school centres. Additionally, promoting practical guidance on integrating locally appropriate species and practices can help unlock the full extent and adoption of agroecological biodiversity.
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https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-63430-7_7
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Mottet, A., & Tempio, G. (2017). Global poultry production: current state and future outlook and challenges. World's poultry science journal, 73(2), 245-256. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0043933917000071
Mottet, A., Bicksler, A., Lucantoni, D., De Rosa, F., Scherf, B., Scopel, E., ... & Tittonell, P. (2020). Assessing transitions to
sustainable agricultural and food systems: a tool for agroecology performance evaluation (TAPE). Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 4, 579154. https://doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2020.579154
Mupangwa, W., Nyagumbo, I., Liben, Chipindu, L, P. Craufurd, Mkuhlani, S (2021). Maize yields from rotation and intercropping systems with different legumes under conservation agriculture in contrasting agro-ecologies, Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, Volume 306. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2020.107170.
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Aug 28, 2025
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Nyaguti , S. K., Otinga , A., Njoroge , R., Ongeri , L. B., & Ambale , V. (2025). Assessing Status of Agroecological Biodiversity in Smallholder farming: Evidence from FAO TAPE Tool Localization in Busia County, Kenya . Journal of Crops, Livestock and Pest Management, 3(2), 10–28. https://doi.org/10.69897/joclipm.v3i2.280
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Author Biographies
Suzzette Kerubo Nyaguti , Department of Soil Science, School of Agriculture and Biotechnology, University of Eldoret, P.O.BOX 1125-30100, Eldoret, Kenya
Department of Soil Science, School of Agriculture and Biotechnology, University of Eldoret, P.O.BOX 1125-30100, Eldoret, Kenya
Abigael Otinga , Department of Soil Science, School of Agriculture and Biotechnology, University of Eldoret, P.O.BOX 1125-30100, Eldoret, Kenya
Department of Soil Science, School of Agriculture and Biotechnology, University of Eldoret, P.O.BOX 1125-30100, Eldoret, Kenya
Ruth Njoroge , Department of Soil Science, School of Agriculture and Biotechnology, University of Eldoret, P.O.BOX 1125-30100, Eldoret, Kenya
Department of Soil Science, School of Agriculture and Biotechnology, University of Eldoret, P.O.BOX 1125-30100, Eldoret, Kenya
Lilian Bisase Ongeri , Department of Soil Science, School of Agriculture and Biotechnology, University of Eldoret, P.O.BOX 1125-30100, Eldoret, Kenya
Department of Soil Science, School of Agriculture and Biotechnology, University of Eldoret, P.O.BOX 1125-30100, Eldoret, Kenya
Vincent Ambale , Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health Department, School of Research, Aga Khan University, P.O.BOX 83013-80100, Mombasa, Kenya
Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health Department, School of Research, Aga Khan University, P.O.BOX 83013-80100, Mombasa, Kenya