Identifying important biophysical and social determinants of on-farm tree growing in subsistence-based traditional agroforestry systems

Abstract

Many expert-designed agroforestry projects enunciated in 1970s around the world, particularly in the developing countries, had uneven success due to inadequate adoption or abandonment after adoption. There are many empirical studies on factors affecting on-farm tree cultivation mainly where expert-designed agroforestry programmes were introduced but lacking in case of traditional agroforestry. Moreover, the concern to identify key factors influencing on-farm tree growing is gaining importance. The present study identifies key factors in on-farm tree growing based on investigation of traditional agroforestry using logistic regression approach. The study is based on household survey of 401 households located in Indian Western Himalaya. The factors affecting on-farm tree growing were grouped into: biophysical (included land use and infrastructural aspects) and social. Models predicting on-farm tree growing for each category were developed and key factors affecting on-farm tree growing in the respective category were identified. A composite model was also developed by combining biophysical and social factors. In the present study, farm size, agroclimatic zone, soil fertility, mobility and importance of tree for future generations respectively were the key factors which influenced tree growing. In contrast to many previous studies which considered either biophysical or social factors, the composite model in the present study reveals that both biophysical and social factors are simultaneously important in motivating the farmers to grow trees on their farms in traditional agroforestry. Moreover, the present study open vistas for using farmers' experience and knowledge of adoption of agroforestry to stimulate on-farm tree growing. The wider implication of the study is that biophysical as well as social variables should be considered together in designing suitable agroforestry systems in various parts of the world.

Mapping the Relationship of Inter-Village Variation in Agroforestry Tree Survival with Social and Ecological Characteristics: The Case of the Vi Agroforestry Project, Mara Region, Tanzania

“…Distance to the lake (LAK) and main domestic water source (MDW) were included as a permanent water source is important for watering of seedlings, particularly in areas with erratic rainfall, like the Mara Region. The main soil type (MS) was included as soil fertility is an important parameter when growing trees [40]. Three variables were used to represent key attributes of the local subsistence/farming system that could potentially influence the integration of trees and soil improvement hedges in crop fields; the main economic activity MEA, main tilling method (MTM) and main crop (MC) used in the studied villages (Table 2).…”

“…Sanginga et al [41], Sood and Mitchell [40], and Ajayi et al [26] highlight the importance of the extension approach and organisation. The amount and duration of project interventions and the capacity and characteristics of the project extension agent varied among villages.…”

The Pattern and Process of Adoption and Scaling up: Variation in Project Outcome Reveals the Importance of Multilevel Collaboration in Agroforestry Development

“…In line with Long and Long [24], and Long [25], stressing the importance of interactions between people, technologies and institutions (organisations), from 1998 the emphasis of the PEAs' training was placed on building their capacity to actively involve households and local stakeholders in the adaptation, integration and dissemination process. Sanginga et al [26], Sood and Mitchell [50] have stated that good collaboration improves coordination of the activities of different stakeholders streamlining extension, adaptive research and extension messages. Apart from collaboration at the village level, collaboration at the ward, district and division levels gradually became a central part of the project strategy and collaboration gradually improved at and between multiple levels (Table 2 and Figures 3-6).…”

Species identification and selection to develop agroforestry at Lake Toba Catchment Area (LTCA)

“…Moreover, the present study open vistas for using farmers' experience and knowledge of adoption of agroforestry to stimulate on-farm tree growing. The wider implication of the study is that biophysical as well as social variables should be considered together in designing suitable agroforestry systems in various parts of the world (Sood and Mitchell 2009).…”