Evans Obura
Egerton University
Kenya
Title: SAGLA (Sisal, Acacia, Grass and Livestock Agro tourism) parks
Biography
Biography: Evans Obura
Abstract
Kenya’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is USD 44 billion. Agriculture and tourism sectors contribute over 40 percent to GDP. They also support job creation especially to youth and women. Over 70 percent of the country is semi-desert. To expand agriculture and tourism in dry areas, this paper discusses an innovation designated SAGLA: Sisal, Acacia, Grass and Livestock Agrotourism park. Carbon fixation is conducted by 3 xerophytes: Sisal, Acacia and Grass. Sisal produces fiber, water, poles and medicine. Its cortex is fodder for dairy cattle. Water in sisal supports dip, aquaculture and horticulture industries. Acacia produce gum, medicine and charcoal. Bees forage on its flowers while birds and arthropods nest on its canopy. Acacia open canopy feature enables undergrowth of plants. Grass act as forage for wide variety of herbivores: sheep, deer, antelopes, gazelles, poultry and arthropods among many others. Animal droppings are digested to produce biogas, CO2 and compost which support horticulture. SAGLA food web yield 17 products: fiber, poles, feed, water, medicine, fish, horticulture, meat, milk, leather, eggs, honey, wax, compost, gum, charcoal and tourism. SAGLA mitigates climate change and control soil erosion through sisal, acacia and grass forestry. It opens vast dry lands to sustainable land use.