WHAT ROLE FOR LEUCAENA LEUCOCEPHALA IN MEETING KENYA'S FUELWOOD DEMAND?:A BIOECONOMIC MODEL

Shortages of wood for burning and construction have begun to create serious environmental problems in sub-Saharan Africa. Kenya is of particular interest both because of its high population pressure and its commitment to au active reforestation movement. This paper examines the contribution that the fast-growing species, Leucaena leucocephala, can make in this effort. A simple statistical model was used to determine the soil and climatic factors that affect its growth; these results are then compared with existing conditions in Kenya. Estimated coefficients for growth and estimated output prices were used to derive a function relating the present value of net revenue to rotation length. It is demonstrated that the economically optimal rotation is just under three years. Implications for the role of L. leucocephala in addressing the projected demand for fuel and wood in Kenya are indicated.