Agroforestry techniques in tropical countries: potential and limitations

Abstract

Agroforestry designates land management techniques, which implies the combination of forest trees with crops, or with domestic animals, or both. Because of their interdisciplinary character, they are of particular interest for many countries of the Third World, where an equilibrated development of all rural lands must be obtained. It is no longer tolerable to consider separately forestry and agriculture in the tropics, and to manage forest resources as an isolated ecosystem. Through his traditions, the tropical farmer is an agro-forester and it is possible to take advantage of his experience in forestry, in order to increase the yields of his agricultural crops. A sustained yield agriculture is the best protection for tropical forests. A classification of the principal agroforestry techniques is proposed and some traditional practices are described. The outstanding advantages of agroforestry in the social, economic and ecological fields suggest some principles for future investigation programs, which will still have many problems to solve.R~sum~: Les techniques agroforesti~res d~signet toutes les m~thodes de production, of a des arbres sont associ~s aux cultures agricoles, h l'61evage, voire m~me aux deux la fois. Du fait de leur caract~re interdisciplinaixe, elles s'imposent dans de nombreux pays du Tiers-Monde pour atteindre un d~veloppement harmonieux du milieu rural. It n'est en effect plus permis de consid&er s~par6ment for~s et agriculture darts les tropiques et de g6rer le patrimoine forestier en vase clos. Le paysan du Tiers-Monde est un agroforestier par tradition et il s'agit de mettre en valeur ses connaissances foresti~res pouvant am~liorer les rendements agricoles, et vice-versa. Une agriculture ~ rendement soutenu est la meilleure protection pour les for~ts tropicales! L'artiele propose une classification des principales techniques agroforesti~r6s en d~crivant quelques pratiques bien 6tablies. L'~num6ration des avantages sociaux, 6conomiques et 6colgiques de ces techniques sugg~re quelques principes pour les travaux de recherche qui doivent r~soudre les nombreux probl~mes pos~s.

Homegardens of a humid tropical region in Southeast Mexico: an example of an agroforestry cropping system in a recently established community

“…(ii) In contrast to other agricultural systems in Balzapote, homegardens preserve and improve ecological conditions essential to the long term sustainability of the system. As has been stated for other case studies [5,7,9,23] Balzapote's homegardens might enhance soil nutrient recycling, minimize soil erosion and prevent proliferation of pests. These effects are reflected in the fact that peasants practically do not use chemical fertilizers or insecticides.…”

“…Many authors have pointed out the clear ecological, technological and productive advantages of agroforestry cropping systems over monocultures and other modern systems [5,7,9,15,23,26,28,29,30]. These advantages are evaluated for the case of Balzapote:…”

Bem-estar de vacas leiteiras em sistema silvipastoril

“…As diversas categorias dos sistemas agroflorestais: silviagrícola, agrossilvipastoril e silvipastoril, podem ser instaladas e manejadas de forma simultânea, escalonada ou sequencial no tempo e no espaço, e apresentarem caráter temporário ou permanente (Combe, 1982, Nair, 1990, Macedo et al, 2000. Figura 1.…”

Combinations of trees and crops in the taungya method as applied in Thailand

“…It is usually defined as a reforestation method in which tree saplings and agricultural crops are simultaneously planted at the initial stage of reforestation and later only trees are left to complete reforestation [e.g. Combe, 1982 andEvans, 1982].…”