There is a notion that agroforestry is failing in arid and semi - arid dry tropics due to resource poorness . I don't find the notion is true after working 33 years in hot arid tropics of India . It is basically question of technology developed , if it is even little bit simple and beneficial to farmers they addopt it . Discussion on the subject would be very beneficial .
Hi Sr. Tewari,
In Brazil we have models of agroforestry in the dry zones of the semi-arid, and go very well, there are many producers to join this production model. But in fact there is a greater need for technologies developed for these models.
Thanks Luciano , problem is that when resources are not there , how can we expect that mixed system like agroforestry will have takers . Wherever water and other inputs are available agroforestry is doing fine in India , when resources are not there it is failing . Regards !
This is a true doctor Tewari. Have you ever heard of Ernest Gotsh's Syntropy Agriculture? It has been an agroforestry model that has spread through Brazil. But in any case, the resource factor is decisive in the success of the enterprise.
I share the video with you:
(Life in Syntropy) -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSPNRu4ZPvE
Dear Luciano , Thanks you very much for sharing your thoughts on the issue . Regards !
Interesting. The arid lands are struggling to cushion agroforestry in many parts of Ghana. You are utterly right, resources for the sustainability agroforestry production is key. Best regards
Its an important question sir for both scientists and agroforestry as a sustainable land management system/ practice! As we know agroforestry interventions are have more role in arid and semiarid ecologies due to all other sole crop interventions are difficult due to poor resources mainly soil and water. Other than this other areas can survive without trees or agroforestry but how semiarid and arid areas?? there is some gap in extension technology if so many technologies developed by the national and international institutes since 1970 since of inception of ICRAF and CAZRI too. We have very poor extension mechanism for agroforestry at least in India. However I may say in may semiarid zones are have well developed silvi pasture and horti apsture with arid fruits.
Interesting answer , Manmohan ! U r right that poor extension mechanism is derailing agroforestry adoption , however , in arid and semi - arid tropics where agroforestry is age old tradition lack of interest of policy makers and planners at heights leave also causing harm to agroforestry research and development . There are many other issues which are not allowing rapid adoption of agroforestry by the farmers .
You are right Dr Tiwari. Agroforestry being age-old practice in arid and semi-arid region of India, people are very much aware about its role in meeting requirements of fuelwood, food, fodder, small timber and environmental protection and have been practicing some traditional agroforesty models. What is required is the development of location-specific, need-oriented systems and more profitable models along with the necessary support in terms of R&D and policy so that farmers can get the quality planting stock and other inputs easily and market the produce at competitive prices.
Thanks Dr.Yougesh for your in comments on the issue . Problem is that so called research managers who are looking after AF R&D even use term ecosystem so loosely like , arid ecosystem or semi- arid ecosystem or dry sub - humid ecosystem or humid ecosystem, do they don't know that a square of kilometre could have hundreds of ecosystems . When such is the situation , how can we think that structure , diversity , functioning of agroecosystems , etc . could find appropriate away for R&D in institutions which are there to promote agroforestry . Once again your comments in the issue are welcomed . Regards !
Dear Dr. Dickson , Thanks for your views on my question . In fact , state of agroforestry as a science and as well as it's developmental goals in arid and semi -arid tropics are not up to mark in my thoughts . Problem is that agricultural researcher is seeing agroforestry as simple production system , they don't see it's intengible benefits. I feel basic objective of agroforestry is not enhancement of production , in fact it is production ( whatever available )+ conservation of natural resources = Sustainablity . Am I wrong ?
You are utterly right Prof. Tewari. Thanks for your keen observation and assessments of the state of agroforestry! Beat regards
Dickson Adom
All dear, give me your definition about dry and semi-dry land, please. In my region (Khorasn in Iran) precipitation is about 200 m.m. in a year. The farmers don't use system agroforestry, but I think method agroforestry can help us to produce.Of course, there is water very limit. Can you introduce a sample of like my region?
Dead Dr. Zare , I don't know much about climatic and soil conditions of your region . Could you be please inform me about climatic and soil attributes of your region , then I will be able to respond your queries . Regards !
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