Farmers have integrated trees in their farming systems for centuries. They did not wait for scientists to develop the concept of agroforestry, just like man did not wait for agronomists to invent and develop agriculture. Agroforestry is widely promoted as a solution for developing more sustainable land uses. But most policy makers, scientists and extension agents dealing with agroforestry programs rarely consider that most agroforestry systems have evolved from local farmers' practices. What farmers are actually doing indeed differs from one country to the other in the region. However, agroforestry is still mainly understood in terms of "development projects," and therefore is usually promoted from an outside point of view, with outside tree crops or mixed-cropping techniques. With few exceptions, projects do not explore neither the local agroforestry knowledge base nor the local farmer-developed agroforestry practices.
Publication year
2000
Authors
de Foresta H; Michon G; Kusworo, A.
Language
English
Keywords
agroforestry, cinnamon, lansium domesticum, rubber
