Organizers: William Armand Mala (University of Yaoundé, Cameroon), Jinlong Liu (Renmin University of China). Steven Anderson (Forest History Society, USA) & Yeo-Chang Youn (Seoul National
University, Republic of Korea)
Biodiversity and socioeconomic factors supporting farmers’ choice of wild edible trees in the agroforestry systems in Benin (West Africa). Assogbadjo, A. (University of Abomey-Calavi, Benin; assogbadjo@gmail.com).
The present study assessed the farm diversity of wild food species and socio-economic factors that support farmers’ choices for the tree species used on their farms. Data have been collected through a fi eld exploration and a semi-structured survey among 435 selected households in each of the three climatic zones of Benin. The most culturally important species ranked by locals were determined for each climatic zone and the relations between the targeted species in traditional agroforestry systems and the reasons which support peasants’ choices were described through a principal component analysis. A total of 43 wild edible trees (24 families) were present in the traditional agroforestry systems of Benin. There are three main reasons that support peasant ambition to conserve or to grow wild edible trees in their fi eld. The fi rst one is the contribution of species as food followed by its use in traditional medicine and ceremonies. Another important reason supporting the choice to conserve wild edible trees in traditional agroforestry is the farmer’s perception of the availability of species in natural vegetation. This study reinforced the evidence of indigenous knowledge and agroforestry systems in the biodiversity conservation in Africa.
Profi tability of on-farm adoption of short rotation forestry – a case study. Chauhan, S., Sharma, R. (Punjab Agricultural University, India; chauhanpau@pau.edu; rajni@dr.com).
On-farm intensive management of short rotation forest trees provides farmers with improved incomes as compared to venturing into other seasonal cropping rotations. However, these systems are need based and constrained by the resource base, thus variable at each scale. It is the perspective of the farmer who is confronted with the decision for adoption and usual proposed economics are not uniformly applicable. The proposed case study provides insight into the experience faced with the challenge to convince farmers to plant trees on their farm and to show them the potential benefi t that may accrue to them from this system. The study will shed light onto the role of the fi nancial profi t for farmers in short rotation forestry (SRF). This aspect is important to the farmer, managers, industrialist, policymakers and also to potential third party who set out to develop an according project on SRF.
In the paper, the farmer’s perspective is considered rather than the technical economic aspects of SRF. The environmental services are diffi cult to seize economically and payment for environmental services have not yet been fully realized in India, and therefore are not included in the case study.
REDD+ versus practical silvicultural management for rural society benefi ts in Miombo woodlands, southern Africa.
Geldenhuys, C. (Stellenbosch University, South Africa; cgelden@mweb.co.za), Syampungani, S. (Copperbelt University, Zambia;
syampungani@cbu.ac.zm).
Millions of rural people depend on resources from the dry deciduous woodlands of Africa. Miombo woodland covers vast areas in southern Africa. Miombo woody plants developed unique underground rootstocks to survive fi re and browsing in the seasonally dry areas. Cultivation of crops and harvesting poles and fuelwood by rural societies are the main causes of the perceived
degradation and deforestation of these woodlands. However, deforestation is a misnomer in the context of fast recovery of the plant diversity and productivity through vegetative regrowth from the rootstocks, unless derooted for commercial agriculture.
Degradation of stand structure is temporary. This paper presents an overview of the ecology of recovery processes in stand development stages in Miombo after the cyclic clearing for traditional slash-and-burn agriculture and charcoal production. An approach towards selective pruning of branches and thinning of stems in stand development stages is presented. This integrated multiple use approach will maintain the supply in fuelwood and poles, maintain plant diversity of the system, improve condition and productivity of the woodlands, increase carbon stocks and maintain a high rate of carbon sequestration, all to the direct benefi t of rural small-scale farmers; in sharp contrast to the moribund old-growth stands in protected areas.
Indigenous agroforestry systems under pressure – the case of Gedeo agroforestry and its value to farmers’ livelihoods, Ethiopia. Hillbrand, A. (Bangor University, United Kingdom; Anique.Hillbrand@web.de).
The importance of agroforestry in Gedeo is critical to farmers’ livelihoods. However, the high population growth rate and consequent land shortage has caused a ‘green famine’ and high rate of agricultural intensifi cation. This study investigates how indigenous multi-strata agroforestry practices in Gedeo provide multiple benefi ts for the livelihoods of farmers. It looks at changes over the past 50 decades and investigates how farmers’ strategies might change in the future. For this study, 51 farmers, representing two economic-climatic zones, were randomly selected. There are some crops managed only by women and agrofor-estry in Gedeo provides women with unique opportunities to manage their own domain on a farm. The species diversity makes farmers less vulnerable to market price fl uctuations and other shocks such as climate events. There are threats to the system such as an increase in chat (Catha edulis) plantations. However a previous government regime imposed mono cropping on some farmers, but when this was relaxed, farmers quickly switched back to their indigenous agroforestry practices. Altogether this research shows that Gedeo farmers are discerning adaptors of agroforestry farming practices to suit their circumstances.
Multipurpose trees based black pepper (Piper nigrum. L) production systems in Kerala, India: biomass production, carbon sequestration and nutrient fl uxes. Kunhamu, T.K., Aneesh S. (Kerala Agricultural University, India; kunhamutk@gmail.
com; aneeshcof@gmail.com), Kumar B.M. (Indian Council of Agricultural Research, India; bmkumar.kau@gmail.com), Jamaludheen V., Raj A.K. (Kerala Agricultural University, India; vjamal2002@gmail.com; ashajayamohan@gmail.com).
Fast growing multipurpose trees are traditionally grown for black pepper (Piper nigrum. L) cultivation in the farm lands of humid tropical regions of India. However, aboveground and soil productivity of these systems is highly variable with tree species. To further explore on this, a farm trial was conducted at Thiruvizhamkunnu, Kerala, India during 2009–12 to assess the total biomass production, carbon sequestration potential (tree + soil) and nutrient fl uxes among six multipurpose trees used as support for black pepper viz. Acacia auriculiformis, Artocarpus heterophyllus, Grevillea robusta, Macaranga peltata, Ailanthus triphysa and Casuarina equisetifolia. Black pepper yield was highest for Acacia auriculiformis (2.56 Mg/ha/ yr), a nontraditional support tree species. Grevillea robusta recorded the highest total biomass production (366 Mg/ha) while Ailanthus triphysa showed the lowest value (155 Mg/ha). Total C stock were also highest for Grevillea robusta (169 Mg C/ha) followed by Acacia auriculiformis (155 Mg C/ha). The article further compares the tissue C concentration, biomass and carbon partitioning, soil carbon stocks, nutrient fl uxes and tree-returns among the various trees species. The paper highlights the need for selection and management of tree species for optimizing productivity in tree based black pepper production systems.
Traditional forest management system from landscape perspective in Dong minority villages: a case from S village in China. Lee, J., Liu, J., Zhang, M., Fusheng, Z. (Renmin University of China, China; allgreen0@gmail.com; liujinlong_jl@
hotmail.com; cathy_minghuizhang@163.com; zhaifusheng@yeah.net).
Forests, which are seen as an important environmental element, a livelihood source and a commons by Dong minority people who have lived on mountains since ancient times, form a landscape of a Dong village with farmlands, rivers, roads and wooden houses. This paper described and analyzed the traditional forest management system (TFMS) of S village in China by means of anthropological methods, such as participatory observations and in-depth interviews. It found that the TFMS in S village was effective to use and protect the forests and biodiversity. The TFMS was needed to understand a holistic perspective of the landscape, but existing theories of natural resource management couldn’t be ignored. The TFMS was seen neither as a complete
paradigm of centralization or of decentralization as the theory of social cost, nor as a complete paradigm of a common pool as the public choice theory, but it should be seen as a management system that customary rules in different sites were various (e.g.
the rules of forests where it was closer village houses were different from those where it was next to neighbor villages) in the whole landscape.
Attitudes and behaviour towards on-farm tree planting among smallholder farmers in Malawi. Meijer, S. (University College Dubin, Ireland; seline_meijer@hotmail.com), Sileshi, G. (World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF), Malawi; S.Weldesemayat@
cgiar.org), Catacutan, D. (World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF), Viet Nam; d.c.catacutan@cgiar.org), Nieuwenhuis, M. (University College Dublin, Ireland; maarten.nieuwenhuis@ucd.ie).
The role of trees on farms in poverty reduction, enhancing food security and avoiding deforestation is already widely known, albeit, the uptake of tree planting has been generally low. This paper examines farmer attitudes and behaviour towards tree planting in Malawi. Survey questionnaires containing an attitude scale that measures three attitude components namely, the attitude itself, subjective norms, and perceived behavioural control in relation to tree planting were administered to 200 farmers in Chiradzulu and Mzimba districts in Malawi. The study found that all three attitude components were generally positive, which meant that farmers are in favour of tree planting. Farmers who planted trees on their farms over the last fi ve years had a more positive attitude, subjective norm and perceived behavioural control towards tree planting compared to those who had not planted trees. Nevertheless, many farmers considered household needs such as buying food and agricultural inputs, as well as children’s education as more urgent than investing in tree planting. This suggests that despite perceived benefi ts from tree planting, wider adoption is hampered by farmers’ capacity to address basic household needs, pointing to the need for various inducements that stimulate positive attitudes and behaviours towards tree planting in Malawi.
Underutilized and promising fruit tree species to enhance productivity of traditional agroforestry system through
participatory domestication in West Java, Indonesia. Narendra, B.H. (Research and Development Center for Conservation and Rehabilitation, Indonesia; budihadin@yahoo.co.id), Roshetko, J., Tata, H., Mulyoutami, E. (World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF), Indonesia; j.roshetko@cgiar.org; h.tata@cgiar.org; e.mulyoutami@cgiar.org).
This paper explores the potential for domesticating fruit species in traditional agroforestry system in West Java. Parkia speciosa, Durio zibethinus, and Sandoricum koetjape each hold promise to enhance farmer livelihoods and can be grown under the low management conditions common in smallholder systems. The three species represent different levels of tree domestication, but all three can be characterized as underutilized in smallholder agroforestry systems. Strong demand for P. speciosa and D. zibethinus across national, provincial and local markets is a signifi cant opportunity for smallholder production. P.speciosa showed high potential for increased domestication with farmers’ interest in the species, potential for expanding on-farm populations and existence of underexploited high-yielding genetic material. D. zibethinus has potential for domestication since the marketing is still underdeveloped and some local trees that have superior quality, good taste and thick fl esh are available in the study area.
Besides the fruit, D.zibethinus and S.koetjape are valued for their timber which is easy to work and polish. S. koetjape was selected as a fruit with cultural and niche market potential that would not attract broad competition. Domestication is potentially focused to enhance post-harvest handling and processing as well as develop a stable market price through consistent supply and quality.
Sustaining Ghana’s forest cover: evidence in cocoa agroforestry system. Nunoo, I., Owusu, V. (Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana; nunooisaac85@yahoo.com; victowusu@yahoo.com).
In Ghana cocoa cultivation is a major source of livelihood to over 800 000 people in the forest communities. 80% of new cocoa planting in the Western Region has been established without shade trees, making it a major contributing factor to deforestation in Ghana. The intercropping of cocoa with several high value tree species in addition to other food crops provide economic, cultural and social benefi ts to farmers as well sustaining the forest. Efforts to promote any of these cocoa agroforestry systems requires empirical evidence. In this study we evaluated the viability of various cocoa agroforestry systems in Ghana. Input-output data were collected from 200 cocoa farmers in the Sefwi Wiawso district by means of multistage sampling technique through household structured interviews and focus group discussions. A discounted cash fl ow analysis were carried out to estimate the benefi t-cost ratio (BCR), net present value (NPV), internal rate of return (IRR) at a 20% discount rate. The medium shade cocoa agroforestry system was the most viable among all other systems with BCR of 1.36, NPV of GH₡ 3 264 and IRR of 47.2%.
The medium shade should therefore be promoted since it is the surest way of sustaining the country’s forest cover and cocoa production.
Conservation and socio-economic importance of some agroforestry fruit tree species: farmers’ participation, tree growth characteristics and market assessment. Onyekwelu, J. (Federal Unversity of Technology, Nigeria; onyekwelujc@yahoo.co.uk), Stimm, B. (Technische Universität München, Germany; stimm@forst.wzw.tum.de).
Deforestation and demographic pressures have greatly depleted populations of indigenous forest fruit trees that produce socio-economically important non-timber forest products (NTFPs). We assessed farm-level growth characteristics, market potentials and farmer’s participation in conservation of Chrysophyllum albidum, Irvingia gabonensis and Garcinia kola in rainforest and derived savanna ecosystems of Nigeria. Growth measurements were made on 50 trees of each species from ten villages. Two sets of questionnaires were used to obtain information from 30 farmers and 60 marketers of the species fruits/seeds in 12 urban and rural markets. The trees were old (32.3–43.5 and 19.5–35.2 years for C.albidum and I.gabonensis) and large (DBH: 36.0–64.3 cm;
19.5–61.3 cm and 46.3 cm for C.albidum, I.gabonensis and G.kola, respectively). Farmers’ participation in conservation (planting) was higher in derived savanna (40–80%) than rainforest (2–6%). Conservation is male dominated (76–92%) while marketing is female dominated (60–100%). Annual fruit production ranged from 500 to 1 000, depending on species. Averagely, farmers sold 60% of their fruits/seeds and earned between US$300 and US$1 300 annually, with income highest and lowest at farm-gate and urban market, respectively. This income contributed 21–52% to total household annual income. Thus, increased tree planting could substantially improve farmers’ livelihood and economic sustainability.
On-farm trees management drivers of in smallholder landscapes of southern Cameroon. Robiglio, V. (World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF), Peru; v.robiglio@cgiar.org), Mala, W.A. (University of Yaoundé I, Cameroon; williammala@yahoo.fr), Tiencheu, M.A. (University of Dschang, Cameroon; avanatie@yahoo.fr).
The present study analyzes the drivers and socio-ecological context of smallholder farmers decision to manage (preserve, protect, plant) on-farm tree resources in their landholdings at the tropical forest margin, and their outcome in terms of tree species abundance and distribution. Data on the management of trees resources in land use systems of smallholder landscapes (fallow, coca agro-forests and degraded remnant forest) were gathered in a household survey conducted between 2011 and 2012 in 14 villages along a gradient of deforestation, agricultural intensifi cation and population density, and combined with tree inventories and vegetation surveys. Abundance and distribution of on-farm tree resources was analyzed in relation to household level socio-economic and cultural variables and of spatial variables at the village level, using logistic regression. Preliminary results are discussed to identify incentives to support the management of on-farm trees according to locally adapted management options.
Impact of traditional agroforestry systems practices on conservation effectiveness of useful trees: case study of Borassus aethiopum Mart. in Benin. Salako, V., Kénou, C., Thierry, H., Assogbadjo, A., Kakai, R.G. (University of Abomey-Calavi, Benin; salakovalere@gmail.com; ckenou@gmail.com; houehanout@yahoo.fr; assogbadjo@gmail.com; glele.romain@gmail.com).
Traditional agroforestry systems (TAS) are increasingly receiving attention as a means to conserve biodiversity and sustain farmers’ livelihoods through preservation of numerous woody species. Whereas a number of studies have evidenced potential of TAS in hosting an enormous woody species, it is still questionable how effective their conservation would be in such systems.
We provide a countrywide analysis of the effectiveness of traditional agroforestry systems for conserving the useful wild palm species, Borassus aethiopum Mart. in Benin. 240 1ha square plots were sampled through phytogeographical districts of Benin.
Life stages were inventoried and sex, diameter and height of adult individuals were recorded and analyzed. Results showed that (1) B. aethiopum populations in agroforestry systems had a signifi cantly female biased sex-ratio (SR = 0.69, Prob. = 0.001), indicating that farmers are saving female individuals at the expense of male ones, (2) practices in TAS did not promote seedlings-to-saplings and saplings-to-juveniles survival, (3) life stages distributions of the species displayed a strong spatial variation which was found to refl ect the intensity of fruits harvest. To guarantee effective conservation of B. aethiopum it should be required that practices in TAS shift from only saving useful species to their effective plantations.
Posters
Impact of land use practices on traits and production of shea butter tree (Vitellaria paradoxa C.F. Gaertn.) in Benin.
Akpona, T. (University of Abomey-Calavi, Benin; ajeandidier@gmail.com), Akpona, A. (Direction Générale des Forêts et des Ressources Naturelles, Benin; akpona@gmail.com).
The shea tree plays an important role in the livelihoods of local populations living around the Pendjari Biosphere Reserve and populations in the different land use systems. This study is to assess impacts of different land use systems on the production and morphological traits of shea trees. A total of 89 circular plots of 60 m in diameter were established using a stratifi ed random sampling method. In each circular plot, all trees with a diameter at breast height (DBH) ≥10 cm were inventoried and measured for circumference, crown diameters, and total height. Additionally, shea butter production was estimated from 90 trees (30 trees in each site) selected randomly using the Jessen method. Our results revealed a signifi cant difference in tree density in increasing order of 5.9±0.3; 6.3±0.9 and 16.9±1.1 respectively in the protected area, hunting zone and agriculture land. Highest value (3.71±1.1) for crow diameter was recorded in the agriculture land, while the DBH and total height parameters showed no signifi cant difference in the different land systems. Production of the sampled shea trees was highest in the agricultural land. The fi ndings of this study show that morphological traits and production of shea butter trees could be affected by land use systems.
Livelihood potential of Moringa oleifera tree and its role in food security and health care in Nigeria. Arabomen, O., Ayomide, A., Azeez, F., Odediran, F. (Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN), Nigeria; arabomenkevwe2009@yahoo.com;
adedunmolalala@yahoo.com; abdfataiaranni2002@yahoo.com; festusbukola@yahoo.com).
Several million people worldwide and particularly in Nigeria depend on the forest for their subsistence, food security, health care and cash income. Nigeria’s tropical forests are both beautiful and useful as they house an abundance of non-wood forest products (NWFPs) including foods (edible nuts, mushrooms, fruits, herbs, fodder), fi bres (bamboo, rattan), exudates (latex, gums and resins) and other plant and animal products such as medicines, honey and wax. NWFPs play an important role in food security and health care in Nigeria especially for women who rely heavily on them for food, medicinal plants and household utensils.
Moringa oleifera is a multipurpose tree belonging to the family Moringaceae. It holds tremendous promise for benefi ting humanity. Local management of this “Miracle Tree” has increased its diversity and distribution through domestication which can improve the quantity and quality thereby making it more attractive to farmers and more marketable, thus contributing to the alleviation of poverty. The great potential of the tree and its various products has not yet been fully recognized. This paper therefore seeks to review the livelihood potential of Moringa oleifera tree and its role in food security and health care in Nigeria.
The vital role of stallholder initiatives in forest restoration and reforestation: the case of Cameroon. Atyi, R.E. (Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR), Cameroon; r.atyi@cgiar.org), Hiol Hiol, F. (Observatoire des Forêts d’Afrique Centrale
The vital role of stallholder initiatives in forest restoration and reforestation: the case of Cameroon. Atyi, R.E. (Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR), Cameroon; r.atyi@cgiar.org), Hiol Hiol, F. (Observatoire des Forêts d’Afrique Centrale