Networking for the generation of agroforestry technologies in Africa

Introduction 1. The rapid population growth and the consequent rising demand for food and fuelwood are leading to an increase in the pressure on the land. This, in turn, shortens fallow periods of traditional fanning systems and decimates forest cover. 2. Under these circumstances the incorporation of woody perennials into existing farming systems can solve some of these problems, given the potential of trees to produce fuel in combination with food or fodder, as well as to protect soils and contribute to their fertility. Background 3. Comparatively little is known about the land use circumstances under which agroforestry can have maximum impact, and few guidelines exist on the management practices to be applied to optimize its multiple benefits. 4. The multidisciplinary nature of research on the agroforestry approach to land use requires the combined use of resources available in institutions from both the agriculture and forestry sectors. The implementation of such an approach faces an almost universal constraint: it lacks a proper "niche". 5. The major problem is, therefore, to develop viable and dynamic operational structures to integrate research and development institutions from both sectors to achieve a more effective use of existing research capacity, both at the national and regional levels

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