Background and Scope: The word "agroforestry" was established in the mid-1970s to emphasise the essential and multi-faceted function of trees on farms across the world. Agroforestry, according to the current ICRAF definition, is "a dynamic, ecologically based natural resources management system that diversifies and sustains production for increased social, economic, and environmental benefits for land users at all levels through the integration of trees in farms and in the agricultural landscape."
The purpose of this chapter was to evaluate and synthesise studies on the
continent's existing agroforestry systems. Furthermore, the study focuses on
integrating agroforestry systems to long-term livelihoods, taking into account
social/cultural, economic/financial, and environmental/ecological advantages,
as well as identifying and presenting agroforestry concerns in Africa. The goal
of this study was to determine the possibility for African countries to employ
agroforestry as a strategy for promoting sustainable livelihoods.
Agroforestry systems in Africa were divided into three categories. Agrisilvicultural
systems (crops, including shrub, vine, and tree crops) and trees with the
following technologies: I Improved fallow/shifting cultivation; (ii) Taungya;
(iii) Alley cropping (hedgerow intercropping); (iv) Multilayer tree gardens;
(v) Multipurpose trees on crop lands; (vi) Plantation crop combinations; (vii)
Homegardens; (ix) Shelterbelts and windbreaks, live hedges; and (x) Fuelwood
production Silvopastoral systems (trees Plus pasture and/or animals) are the
second category, which includes: Plantation crops with pastures and animals I
Trees on rangeland or pastures; (ii) Protein/Fodder banks; and (iii) Plantation
crops with pastures and animals. Agrosilvopastoral systems (trees + crops +
pasture/animals) are the third category, which includes: I Animal-friendly home
gardens; (ii) Multipurpose woody hedgerows; (iii) Apiculture with
trees/Beekeeping; (iv) Aquaforestry/Fisheries; and (vi) Rotational woodlots.
There was another important feature of sustainable management of natural
forests and woods, which might be related to trees and shrubs, in addition to
the three categories. The acceptance and growth of agroforestry systems in
Africa is too sluggish, according to research, and this chapter discussed
elements that might directly or indirectly impact agroforestry adoption among
smallholder farmers in Africa. A review of recent case studies links poor
agroforestry adoption and scaling up to a number of factors, including: I a
lack of understanding of the benefits of agroforestry/ignorance of the advantages
of agroforestry; (ii) delayed return on investment and under-developed markets;
(iii) a focus on commercial agriculture; (iv) mass agricultures' focus on using
fertilisers and pesticides; (v) a lack of tree seed supplies; and (vi) (viii)
Market restrictions; (ix) Inadequate extension work and research; (x) Lack of
ability, knowledge, and awareness; (xii) Lack of interest; (xiv) Gender and
age; (xv) Policy constraints and Adverse Regulations; and (xv) Policy
constraints and Adverse Regulations As a result, pushing agroforestry on the
policy agenda is critical and urgent. The following are the basic facts for
choosing to develop and regulate agroforestry through policies: I To remove
legal and institutional barriers to agroforestry; (ii) To promote favourable
agroforestry outcomes; and (iii) To pay farmers for delayed returns. Africa
might benefit from lessons learned from African and international agroforestry
success stories. These lessons include that for agroforestry to thrive, four
concerns must be addressed: I Agroforestry only occurs when it benefits
farmers; (ii) Tenure rights must be protected; (iii) Agroforestry connects
sectors; and (iv) Forest management standards must be strictly enforced.
Conclusion: In order to establish and develop packages of agroforestry systems
in Africa, five imperatives must be observed: I It is critical to transition
from traditional to modern farming systems; (ii) It is critical to shift from a
sectoral to a multi-sectoral to an inter-sectoral approach to farming (Integrated
farming); (iii) There is significant potential for small-scale forest
enterprise development (agroforestry); and (iv) There is a pressing need for
effective forest.
Cliff S. Dlamini,
Center for Coordination of Agricultural Research and Development for Southern Africa (CCARDESA), Botswana.
Stanley Dlamini,
Independent Environmental and Agriculture Consultant, P.O.Box 7514, Manzini, Eswatini, M200, Botswana.
Please see the link here: https://stm.bookpi.org/CTAS-V7/article/view/6778
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