Description
Abstract
In Kenya, land degradation is a problem that threatens agricultural productivity, ecosystem functions and rural livelihoods, especially for smallholder farmers who rely heavily on the land and natural resources. Sustainable land management (SLM) practices such as agroforestry, soil and water conservation, conservation agriculture, integrated soil fertility management and farmer-managed natural regeneration (FMNR) have been encouraged to combat land degradation and promote agricultural production and livelihood resilience. However, evidence on their livelihood effects remains fragmented across intervention types, geographical contexts and outcome measures, making it difficult to determine which interventions generate the most consistent livelihood benefits and under what conditions. This review aimed to synthesise evidence on the effects of different SLM interventions on smallholder farmers’ livelihood outcomes and to examine how reported benefits varied across intervention types and contexts. The review was reported in accordance with the PRISMA 2020 statement. The literature of the period 2015-2026 was identified using the ScienceDirect, Google Scholar databases and institutional repositories. Eligible studies were empirical studies conducted in Kenya among smallholder farmers that evaluated at least one specified SLM intervention and reported agricultural productivity, economic, food security, welfare or livelihood resilience outcomes. Data on intervention characteristics, study setting, study design and livelihood outcomes were extracted. Findings were synthesised narratively by intervention type and outcome domain, with methodological quality assessed using MMAT Appraisal tool. Evidence indicates that sustainable land management interventions contribute to livelihoods through productivity enhancement, income diversification, food security and resilience. Agroforestry is linked with income from timber, fuelwood, fodder, better food security and coping capacity. Soil and water conservation is associated with improved farm productivity, household income and food availability. Conservation agriculture and integrated soil fertility management are linked to improved land productivity, crop yields and household welfare. Emerging evidence on FMNR indicates improvements in food security, household income and crop productivity. The magnitude and pathways of livelihood benefits, however, differ depending on the types of interventions and local context. SLM interventions offer an important link between ecosystem restoration and livelihood resilience in Kenya. Strengthening integrated and context specific SLM approaches could simultaneously improve degraded landscapes, agricultural productivity and rural wellbeing.
| Title | Sustainable Land Management Interventions and Livelihood Outcomes among Smallholder Farmers in Kenya: A Systematic Review |
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