Exploring agroforestry systems to attain self-sufficiency: some strategies and activities

Agroforestry is considered as a basic approach to provision of food and alternative livelihood for upland farmers. In response to this concept, various agencies and institutions have conducted researches/studies on agroforestry systems, and have developed technologies for upland development. These researches/studies conducted range from finding/testing alternatives to unsustainable slash-and-burn agriculture and income generation for uplands; to the promotion of conservation practices. Side-by-side with the innovations to stabilize soil resources is the technology on the use of fast-growing tree species. This paper explores the agroforestry systems: strategies and activities, and identifies the factors influencing adoption of agroforestry systems, and the conditions/imperatives for an agroforestry system development. Research results of agroforestry system studies published locally and internationally covering the period 1993 to 2001 were considered in the paper. Research highlights of these studies were determined underlining the strategies, activities, and the conditions/imperatives related to development of an agroforestry system; and the factors influencing adoption. The paper contains the agroforestry systems/schemes developed by various institutions actively undertaking agroforestry projects/researches. These institutions develop, evaluate, and validate sustainable, profitable and acceptable technologies through on-station and on-farm studies/experiences, and develop a methodology for evaluating agroforestry technologies. The methodology for evaluating agroforestry schemes is the result of review of several related evaluation tools. Since it is necessary to study the upland beneficiaries' perceptions attitude, and behavior towards the use of improved technologies for any upland development program, the paper also documents the factors influencing adoption of agroforestry systems of three studies. From the studies considered, it is evident that an approach to rehabilitate badly denuded uplands is the integration of fast-growing tree species, and annual crops. Furthermore, fast-growing tree species can be planted with agri-crops. The problem of shading and root competition maybe overcome by appropriate use of alley cropping concepts. For an agroforestry development to be successful, important conditions to be provided include presence of market, availability of financial institutions, provision of information, education and communication, and security of land tenure.