Tropical farming systems include a rich variety of agroforestry practices, namely those in which woody perennials (trees, shrubs, palms, and bamboos) are deliberately grown in association with crops or livestock (Nair). These range from extensive systems such as enriched woody fallows, protected trees in crop fields, or riparian grazing reserves; to interstitial plantings such as field borders of timber trees or woodlots on marginal farm sites; to intensive systems like home gardens or alley-cropping (Raintree). In recent years, the international community has begun to recognize the potential value of agroforestry in tropical land use. There has been a sharp increase in development spending (FAO) and a new focus on agroforestry in international agricultural research centers (CGIAR). Interest has been spurred by recent research findings. Trees and shrubs provide food, shelter, farm in- puts such as fodder, medicines, and raw materials (wood, fiber, dyes) critical to subsistence and income of many rural households (Falconer). Trees can protect or improve the environmental resource base for crop and livestock production, through windbreaks, erosion barriers, improved soil fertility and physical properties, field drainage, microclimate improvement, and wildlife habitat (Young). In some regions, woody perennials are more environ- mentally sustainable than permanent annual cropping (Ruthenberg). In many regions, farm trees (rather than forests or commercial plantations) are the main source of current and future supplies of fuelwood, timber, and other important tree products (
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.2307/12425999Pontuação Altmetric:
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Ano de publicação
1992
Autores
Idioma
English
Palavras-chave
agroforestry, data collection, economics, models, research
Geográfico
Kenya
