International Journal of Agroforestry and Silviculture

International Journal of Agroforestry and Silviculture Vol. 1 (6), pp. 061-067, June, 2014.  © International Scholars Journals

Review

Involving technical advancement for agroforestry extension: an innovation-decision approach

Agnes Espinosa

Department of Social Forestry and Forest Governance, College of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of the Philippines, Los Banos, Philippines. Email: [email protected]

Accepted 05 May, 2014

Abstract 

In order to facilitate Participatory Technology Development (PTD) in African agriculture, extensionists and scientists must collaborate with local innovators to optimise (where necessary) and disseminate their innovations. This literature review proposes a conceptual model for PTD in which technology is developed in the context of an adoption cycle. Building on an innovation -decision approach, the characteristics of innovations that achieve widespread uptake are identified. The link between these characteristics and livelihood constraints and strategies, capital assets and the role of communication is emphasised. Although the agroforestry innovation-decision process occurs in the absence of external intervention, by understanding the characteristics of adoptable innovations in the context of adoption behaviour, it may be possible to identify new roles for extensionists and scientists. They may be able to facilitate PTD through the identification of innovators and their innovations, optimise and adapt innovations with reference to the proposed model, and disseminate innovations to other smallholders who may benefit from them.

Key words: agroforestry; adoption; technology; public participation; Africa; innovation

International Journal of Agroforestry and Silviculture Vol. 1 (7), pp. 073-077, July, 2014. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Broadcasting pathways for measuring agroforestry technologies in western Tanzania

Abdully Keifer, Abayol Juma and Ahangba Hangi

Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Faculty of Agriculture, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania. Email: [email protected]

Accepted 09 June, 2014

Abstract 

Tumbi Agricultural Research Institute and International Council for Research in Agroforestry (ICRAF) have been working on agroforestry technologies to address the problems of soil degradation and shortage of food and fuel wood in Tanzania. Among the technologies developed, using improved fallows to replenish soil fertility is being adopted by farmers. The lack of an effective dissemination pathway has been an obstacle for scaling-up this technology. The Network of Farmer Groups in Tanzania (MVIWATA) facilitated co-ordination and streamlining of on-farm research, training and dissemination of improved fallows. Furthermore, it provided an analytical mechanism for participatory evaluation of promising technologies on farms and served as catalyst for their widespread dissemination in Tabora. The institute examined the effectiveness of different dissemination pathways, the government agricultural extension services, farmer trainers and traditional leaders for scaling-up of agroforestry technologies. Seventy-six percent of the farmers interviewed felt that farmer trainers were more effective in providing extension training on improved fallows than other channels. About 92% of the samples in the western zone of Tanzania were familiar with the concept of improved fallow technology. Farmers reported that government extension service and traditional leaders were not effective in dissemination of improved fallows. Farmer trainers are considered to be more effective in dissemination.

Key words: Extension, farmer trainers, network, traditional leaders

International Journal of Agroforestry and Silviculture Vol. 1 (5), pp. 055-060, May, 2014. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Inventiveness of tropical agroforestry to Maintainable agriculture: A case study of Capasia Village, Northern Bangladesh

Iwan Boim Nur, Akbar Mardani and Tongyiee Yusukey

Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR), Bogor Barat 16680, Indonesia. Email: [email protected]

Accepted 28 April, 2014

Abstract 

A relatively large percentage of the population in Bangladesh lives under the poverty line and is affected by the country’s degrading natural resources. Agroforestry has been seen as one of the few options to lift people out of poverty. Research into the costs and benefits of agroforestry was undertaken in Capasia Village in Northern Bangladesh. Initial results indicate that agroforestry may not only be an optimal livelihood solution for poor farmers, biodiversity conservation and environmental sustainability but agroforestry systems also provide good economic rates of return. Thus the farmers who engage in agroforestry are benefited in different ways.

Key words: Agroforestry, poverty, farmers, livelihoods, conservation.

International Journal of Agroforestry and Silviculture Vol. 1 (5), pp. 052-054, May, 2014.© International Scholars Journals

Review

Agroforestry theories and Practices in sustainable land use system in Nigeria

Adawara Mahmud, Kpamor V. and Theophilus Grayson

Department of Social and Environmental Forestry, College of Forestry and Fisheries, University of Agriculture, Makurdi, P. M. B. 2373, Makurdi, Nigeria. E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 01 April, 2014

Abstract 

Agroforestry has been defined as a dynamic ecologically based natural resources management system that through the integration of trees on farms and in the agricultural landscape, diversifies and sustains production for increased social, economic and environmental benefits for land users at all levels. This paper highlighted Agroforestry practices and concepts in sustainable land use systems. The benefit derivable from the interface between forest trees and agricultural crops are enormous. They include the optimal use of land for both agricultural and forestry production on a sustainable basis including the improvement of the quality of soil. This is in addition to the socio-economic benefits that are accruable from agroforestry. Indeed the advantage of agroforestry is all encompassing and germane to a sustainable production system and livelihood.

Key words: Agroforestry, practices, concepts, sustainable, land use systems.

International Journal of Agroforestry and Silviculture Vol. 1 (4), pp. 037-051, April, 2014. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Alteration of tree species in Traditional Agri-silvi-horticulture systems along altitude and aspects of the Garhwal Himalaya, India

Arvind Bijalwan

Assistant Professor, Faculty of Technical Forestry, Indian Institute of Forest Management (IIFM) P.O.-357, Nehru Nagar, Bhopal-462 003, M.P., India.

E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 10 April, 2014

Abstract 

Alternation of tree species in traditional agri-silvi-horticulture (ASH) systems along altitudinal changes (1000 to 1500m, 1500 to 2000m and 2000 to 2500m asl) and aspects (northern and southern) were studied in two districts (Tehri Garhwal and Uttarkashi) of Garhwal Himalaya, India during 2012-13. Analysis of tree vegetation for the structural characterization, diversity of plant communities and composition under agri-silvi-horticulture systems in each study site was studied.  The horticultural trees were found mottled throughout the agricultural fields, while forest trees were mostly seen on the bunds of the farmers’ fields. The highest tree density was recorded in 1000-1500m (northern aspect) while the lowest was recorded in 2000-2500m elevation (northern aspects). The Grewia optiva, Melia azedarach in the lower elevation and Quercus leucotrichophora in the higher elevation recorded dominant species among forest tree species while Malus domestica and Prunus armeniaca noticed dominant species among fruit tree species. In general, the higher number of tree species and individuals were recorded on northern aspect with lower elevation compared to southern aspect with higher elevation. It is concluded that elevation and aspects played a significant role in structure, composition and combination in agri-silvi-horticulture systems.

Key words: Agri-silvi-horticulture, agroforestry, altitude, Northern aspect, Southern aspect, diversity, phyto-sociology.

International Journal of Agroforestry and Silviculture Vol. 1 (3), pp. 031-036, March, 2014. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Impact of bamboo species on growth and yield attributes of Kharif crops under agroforestry system in wasteland condition of the Central India

Rahangdale C.P*, Pathak N.N and Koshta L.D

Department of Forestry, Jawaharlal Nehru Agriculture University, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 8 January, 2014

Abstract

The experiment was conducted in 3 year old plantation of bamboo species planted at a spacing of 5m x 5m during rainy season of 2007-08. The experiment consisted of two bamboo species viz., Dandrocalamus strictus and Bambusa arundinacea in main plot and four different Kharif crops viz. Moong (TM-99-37), Soybean (JS-335), Paddy (JR-201) and Til (TKG 21) in sub plot under split plot design with three replication. These Kharif crops were also sown in the open plot without bamboo species, which served as control plot. Result showed non–significant differences among the bamboo species. However, different Kharif crops showed significant differences among themselves. Magnitude of mean of all the growth and yield attributing characters of different Kharif crops was found highest in the open condition as compared to bamboo based agrisilviculture system. Among the different Kharif crops, soybean showed highest yield reduction (67.88% and 49.22%) in the magnitude for grain and straw followed by moong (61.14% and 47.25%), til (50.65% and 39.71%) and paddy (36.55% and 19.78%). The economic analysis of the system showed the economic feasibility of bamboo based agrisilviculture system (Rs 21029 ha^-1) as it gave higher monetary return as compared to sole crop (Rs 9801 ha^-1). On the basis of mean of both bamboo species, growing of moong with bamboo species gave significantly higher net monetary return (Rs 27736 ha^-1) but at par with til (Rs 23365 ha^-1) and was found significantly superior to paddy (Rs 19693 ha^-1) and soybean (Rs 13322 ha^-1) under bamboo based agrisilviculture system. Hence bamboo based agroforestry system is a viable option for raising the overall production as well as productivity of the farming systems.

Key words: Agro forestry, bamboo species, kharif crops, impact assessment, wasteland.