Exploring local knowledge on indicators of soil health and contributions of agroforestry trees in smallholders’ maize production systems in Rift Valley, Kenya

A study was conducted to explore local knowledge on indicators of soil quality and contribution of agroforestry trees in smallholders’ maize production systems in Rift valley, Kenya. Semi structured interviews were administered to 47 small-scale farmers whose farms had similar soil type. The purpose of this study was specifically to: a) to assess farmers’ perceptions on the soil quality gradients in their farms; b) to determine local indicators used by smallholder farmers to assess differences in soil quality; and c) to evaluate dominant agroforestry tree species and their perceived effects on soil quality.