Poverty, property rights and socio-economic incentives for land conservation: the case for Kenya

Abstract

Rural poverty and land degradation are closely related, making resource management by poor rural households a crucial issue in solving the development and poverty problems facing the country. The present study responds to paucity of empirical studies on the link between poverty and land conservation in Kenya. The key hypothesis tested is that poverty in assets hinder adoption of land conservation practices among small holder farming households. The results suggest that assets are important determinants of adoption of land conservation practices, a confirmation that the poor will be less likely to conserve than the rich. The results suggest the need for policy measures that offer incentives for land conservation.

African Journal of Economic Policy Vol. 11(1) 2004: 35-68