Agroforestry Extension Resources

Resources A090-099

A091 Agroforestry

A Tearfund PILLARS guide

Isabel Carter. 2001. Tearfund, Teddington, Middlesex 52pp. Partnership in Local Language Resources (PILLAR). ISBN 0953997103

An excellent resource to introduce the concept of agroforestry to communities through group discussion.

The aim of the PILLAR guides is stated as follows: "These guides are designed for use in small group situations where one or more people are literate and confident enough to lead others in group discussion. They aim to provide material for discussion around a subject either in isolation or as part of a regular group meeting; for example of farmers, literacy trainees, youth groups or Mothers Union members. Ideally just two or three pages should be used each time, allowing plenty of time for discussion of the issues raised and for carrying out some of the practical ideas suggested. No training is first necessary for the discussion leader. The guides aim to increase confidence among group members, so that they can successfully manage change within their own situation without the need for outside intervention. They try to build on existing knowledge and experiences among the members or within their community, so that different ideas can be tried out, adapted, and then either abandoned if not useful or appropriate, or found useful and adopted.

The objectives of the agroforestry guide are stated as:
• To increase awareness of the benefits of including trees with growing crops as part of sustainable agriculture
• To raise awareness of the value of agroforestry in improving soil fertility and preventing soil erosion
• To raise awareness of the nutritional benefits of various tree species recommended for agroforestry
• To gain understanding of the various benefits provided by recommended tree species
Anticipated outcomes
• Communities encouraged to regard agroforestry and tree planting as a normal activity on farmland
• The building and maintenance of tree nurseries in local communities and the introduction of a variety of recommended tree species
• Farmers encouraged to experiment and compare various techniques for tree planting
• People learn the value of local trees and gain confidence in their local knowledge
• The improvement of soil fertility and conservation
• The improvement of family nutrition
• Fuel wood becomes more available, benefiting the local environment
• The provision of opportunities to improve smallholder income

• Information about the PILLARS guides, and ordering, is available at: http://www.tilz.info/frameset.asp . Follow links in side bar: resources - pillars
• A PDF sample of this guide (on alley cropping) is at: http://www.tilz.info/uploads/documents/PI%20AgroforestryENG-alley.pdf
• Tearfund's website is at: http://www.tearfund.org/

CONTENTS:

Introduction to agroforestry
The benefits of agroforestry
The names of trees
Qualities needed for agroforestry trees
Encouraging tree growth
Obtaining young trees
Collecting and storing tree seeds
Direct planting of tree seeds
Preparing a tree nursery
Suitable containers for tree seeds
Sowing seeds
Care of young seedlings
Root pruning
Hardening off
Planting out tree seedlings
Giving young trees a good start
Alley cropping
Trees for farm boundaries
Trees for livestock fodder
Firewood trees
Fruit trees
Moringa - a tree with special properties
Bible studies
Checklist of names for useful agroforestry trees