Focus on . . .
Agroforestry.
Agroforestry - the growing of trees on farm together with food crops - is an ancient form of land use that suffered a decline as agriculture became more intensive and the trend was established for high-input monoculture systems. But such systems have their drawbacks and, a few decades ago, modern agroforestry was born with the idea of promoting food security through the soil-improving properties of trees. Even then, many people considered it a good idea in theory but had doubts about its practical benefits.
We highlight some of these practical benefits in this section of New Agriculturist. Although not every expectation of agroforestry has been met, in many places it is proving to be successful as a means of providing tree products, both traditional and non-traditional, for controlling soil fertility and controlling soil erosion. The environmental impact is immeasurable but, if agroforestry practices lead to additional income for farmers, not only are standards of living raised but the environmentally damaging effects of farmer poverty are alleviated.
Agroforestry for biodiversity
In Asia and other regions of the world, complex
agroforestry systems, developed by farmers as enriched fallows over
the last 100 years, help to preserve the biodiversity of wildlife. For
example, in Sumatra . . .
Models in mode for agroforestry
Intuitively, the concept of growing trees and crops
together is appealing - it seems closer to what nature intended rather
than the artificiality of monocultures that are the norm in the
agricultural systems of developed countries. Yet, despite . . .
The 'fruits' of
agroforestry - soil, milk and fish!
Increasing population pressure and decreasing
availability of good land in many parts of Africa are forcing more and
more subsistence farmers to cultivate crops on unsuitable marginal
land. Growing annual crops, such as maize . . .
Rotational woodlots take their turn
A massive destruction of forests occurred in the
Tanzanian miombo woodlands early this century. In the expert opinion
of the time, eradicating tsetse meant destroying their habitat. The
tsetse may have disappeared, or . . .
Hedging your bets
Dead wood is usually seen as good for little more
than fuel for fires but, throughout the Sahelian region of West
Africa, dead wood is much more than that. It is also a precious
resource that farmers use to protect their . . .
Competition for nutrients: getting
to the root of the problem
Trees are an important asset on farm. During the last
few years an increase in agroforestry practices has seen a rise in
intercropping of trees to provide shade to crops and, if leguminous,
to improve the fertility of the soil. However . . .
Cinderella trees - trees of many
treasures
Trees which have potential to provide food security
and to alleviate poverty and malnutrition were first described by Dr
Roger Leakey, ex-Director of Research at ICRAF, as "Cinderella
trees" because they have been . . .
Taming the bush mango
Sweet tasting fruit or a thickener for soups and
stews, the bush mango (Irvingia gabonensis and Irvingia
wombulu) can provide either depending on the variety grown. This
tall, stately tree . . .
Prunus africana - stripping
away an essential resource
Prunus africana (pygeum or African stinkwood)
is the source of an important drug used in the treatment of prostate
conditions common in older men. The drug is almost exclusively
extracted from this tree, which is therefore . . .
Improving agroforestry research
The overall aim of the UK Department for
International Development (DFID) is the eradication of poverty. The
Forestry Research Programme contributes to this goal through its
Renewable Natural Resources Research Strategy . . .
Agroforestry and local knowledge
Contrary to conventional perceptions, where
appropriate land and tree tenure have prevailed, increasing human
population density in rural areas has often been associated with
increasing . . .
Agroforestry - the branches of
knowledge
ANAFE - the African Network for Agroforestry
Education was set up in 1993 in a collaborative effort between ICRAF
and partner organizations. Its aim is to strengthen . . .
