Mechanisms for scaling-up tree domestication: how grassroots organisations become agents of change

Since 1998, the World Agroforestry Centre, in collaboration with a range of partners, has been developing a participatory approach to domestication of indigenous trees. Tree domestication, defined as an accelerated and human-induced evolution to bring species into wider cultivation through a farmer-driven or market-led process, aims to diversify smallholder farming systems through the cultivation of indigenous trees. A major research topic has been the adaptation of the tree domestication process to farmer conditions. Hereto, experiments on selection and propagation of superior trees, their integration in farmers’ fields and the marketing of trees and tree products have been carried out with farmer groups in pilot sites. Today, the challenge is to develop ways to extend tree domestication options to other communities. Therefore, different scaling-up approaches are evaluated for efficiency. One of the approaches tested is to assist NGOs and other extension services in the dissemination of tree domestication techniques by providing them with knowledge and logistical support. Another method is to build training capacities of farmer leaders, so that they diffuse the innovations further. In both cases, the first step is to set-up a resource centre where farmers come to discover and experiment with the new technologies, before taking the skills back to their own communities. Thirdly, through active participation in strategic meetings and media exposure, ICRAF is trying to put tree domestication on the agenda of development and conservation organisations, which are searching for innovations to raise farmers’ income in an ecologically friendly manner. Results obtained so far indicate that the success of any of the scaling-up methods depends in the first place on the motivation and commitment of the partners, in addition to their financial and human capacity. Lastly, experience in the field shows that none of the scaling-up mechanisms alone can reach the level of adoption required to impact on farmers’ lives and the environment at larger scale. Therefore, a winning scaling-up strategy for tree domestication must essentially be a combination of the dissemination pathways described above, probably in addition to others.

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