Cost-Benefit Implications of Conservation Agriculture with Trees in the Dry Lands of Machakos County, Kenya

The adoption of conservation agriculture and agroforestry has been cited as the solution to degradation low profitability challenges in drylands. two systems have known result high through improvement yields lowering crop production costs. study was carried out part ongoing experimentation established short rains (SR) season 2012 by World Agroforestry Centre an on-station site at Agricultural Training (ATC) Machakos County, Kenya. trials were based on a split plot arranged randomised complete block design with farming (conventional agriculture) serving main blocks, 10 treatments three replicates, summing total 60 plots. In fields, shrub species (Calliandra calothyrsus Meissn., Cajanas cajan (Pigeon pea), Gliricidia sepium Jacq.) planted different spacing (1.5 x 1 m, 3 4.5 m) for maize-legume intercrops. costs recorded consistently each (LR 13, SR LR14). maize legume valued market selling price from local market, cost-benefit analysis done calculation benefit-cost ratios (BCR). data statistically analysed using ANOVA means separated LSD p <0.05. Results showed significantly BCR under (p <0.0001) all seasons sole CA having highest 9.9 LR 2014. BCRs lower first due initial costs, but this increased steadily succeeding seasons. concludes that both trees is beneficial farmer, higher net benefits compared conventional tillage