Bonga University

College of Agriculture and Natural Resource

Exit examination handout for the identified competency focus area for the
courses Agroforestry system and practices

Prepared by: Kebede S.

December, 2022

Bonga, Ethiopia

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 CHAPTER ONE

1. INTRODUCTION TO AGROFORESTRY

1.1. Concept and definitions of agroforestry

Trees have been used in cropping systems since the beginning of agriculture. Throughout the world, at

one period or another in its history, it has been the practice to cultivate tree species and agricultural

crops in intimate combination. In much of the tropics, human beings underwent a transition from

hunting/gathering to the use of domesticated plants and livestock. Agroforestry practices are

traditional, very old, and very specific to the local social, economic and agro-ecological conditions.

The farmers, grazers, and forest dwellers have an intimate knowledge of these traditional practices.

Agroforestry is an old practice, indeed very old. Farmers of the tropical area have long tradition of

growing food crops, tress and animals together as well as exploiting a multiple range of production

from natural wood lots. In fact, so much has been said about trees in our ancient literature that planting

tree was being done by individuals on their own along with agriculture crops.

More recently, however, the forest area has receded and resources have shrunk considerably. The

people are no longer able to meet their requirements of firewood, fodder, timber, bamboo, etc. from the

forest. Due to shortage of wood the prices of these commodities have, therefore, increased

substantially. Many forest based industries have been facing problems in supply of raw material. Many

farmers quite recently started planting trees on their farm lands to meet these shortages along with

agriculture crop; thus it emerged out the concept of agroforestry.

Definitions of Agroforestry: -

Agroforestry means practice of agriculture and forest/ horticulture tree on the same piece of land.

However, the agroforestry has been defined by various workers working in the field of agroforestry.

Some of the definitions given by different workers are as follows:

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 Bene et al. (1977) defined agroforestry as a sustainable management system for land that increases

overall production, combines agriculture crops, forest plants and tree crop and/or animals

simultaneously or sequentially and applies management practices that are compatible with the

cultural patterns of a local population.

 King and Chandler (1978): “Agroforestry is a sustainable land management system which

increases the overall yield of the land, combines the production of crops (including tree crops) and

forest plants and/or animals simultaneously or sequentially, on the same unit of land and applies

management practices that are compatible with the cultural practices of the local population.

 Nair (1979) defines agroforestry as a land use system that integrates trees, crops and animals in a

way that is scientifically sound, ecologically desirable, practically feasible and socially acceptable

to the farmers.

 According to Lundgren and Raintree (1982), agroforestry is a collective name for land use systems

and technologies, where woody perennials (trees, shrubs, palm bamboos, etc.) are deliberately used

in the same piece of land management units as agriculture crops and/or animals in some form of

spatial arrangement or temporal sequence. In agroforestry systems, there are both ecological and

economical interactions between the different components.

Characteristics of agroforestry systems

o Involves two or more species of plants (plants or animals) with at least one woody perennial.

o Always have two or more outputs.

o Cropping cycle is always longer than one year.

o Ecologically and economically complex system than a mono-cropping.

o Significant interaction between woody and non-woody components of the system.

o Efficient use of available resources.

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 o Improve local environment.

o Finally, income generation from the sale of agroforestry products

1.2. Importance of agroforestry

a) Economical importance of agroforestry

 Produce multiple products to meet growing demand of increasing human population and

livestock. These products are food/vegetables/fruits, fodder and forage needed for livestock, fuel

wood, timber, leaf litter needed for organic manure production and NTFPs.

 Minimize total crop failure when farm is attacked by insects, pests and diseases.

 Sustain the crop productivity which increases the level of income of the farmers.

 Improve the nutritive value of animal and human diet.

 For soil nutrient recycling, which also helps to reduce chemical fertilizer purchase

b) Climate change and carbon trade importance of agroforestry

Stabilize shifting cultivation which leads the protection of the remaining forests.

Improve the farm site ecology by reducing surface run off, soil erosion and nutrient loss, gully

formation, landslides, and river bank erosion.

Improve the local micro-climate and enhance the productive capacity of the farm.

Reduce pressure of community and natural forests for fodder, fuel wood and timber

Agroforestry helps for the beautification of the surrounding areas.

Works as carbon sequesters, which helps to reduce the effects of climate change.

Highly productive agroforestry systems such as silvi-pastoral system can play an important role in

carbon sequestration in soils and in the woody biomass. For example, traditional cattle management

involves grass monocultures which degrade in about 5-7 years after establishment, releasing significant

amounts of carbon to the atmosphere.

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c. Livelihood and Social importance of agroforestry

 Improving the living standard of the farmers through sustained agroforestry yield, income and

employment.

 Access of health, education, and other social services of the farmers could be improved due to

the regular income and employment opportunities.

 Increasing population requires more food, fuel wood, fodder and forage, and timber. To meet

these demands, agroforestry is the only one option.

 Agroforestry farmer groups could be formed easily involving farmers practicing agroforestry

practices, and their capacity can be built up easily.

1.3. Agroforestry in a land use system

The different aspects in which agroforestry can help in enhancing the productivity of our land use

system to meet the demand of ever-growing human and livestock population are as follows:

Meeting the demand of food & fodder

 Enhanced food production from crops associated with trees through nitrogen fixation, better

access to soil nutrients brought to surface from deep tree roots, improved availability of

nutrients due to high cation-exchange capacity of the soil and its organic matter and mycorrhizal

associations

 Food for man from trees as fruits, nuts and cereal substitutes

 Fodder for meeting rural needs

Water conservation

 Improvement of soil-moisture retention in rain fed croplands and pastures through

 improved soil structure and micro-climate effect of trees

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  Regulation of stream flow, reducing flood hazards and a more even supply of water

 Through reduction of run-off and improvement of interception and storage in infiltration

galleries.

 Improvement in drainage from waterlogged or saline soils by trees with high water

requirements.

Fuel-wood and energy

 Fuel-wood for direct combustion

 Pyrolytic conversion products such as charcoal. oil and gas

 Ethanol produced from fermentation of high-carbohydrate fruits

 Oils, latex and other combustible saps and resins

Shelter from trees

 Building materials for shelter construction

 Shade trees for people, livestock and shade-loving crops

 Wind-breaks and shelter-belts for protection of settlements, crop lands, pastures and roadways

 Fencing: live fences and fence posts

Raw material for industries

 Raw material for pulp and paper industry

 Tannins. essential oils and medicinal ingredients

 Wood for agricultural implements and various crafts

 Fibre for weaving

Cash benefits

 Direct cash benefits from sale of tree products

 Indirect cash benefits from increased productivity

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Increased yield and maximized production:

Combining agriculture crops with trees helps in increasing the productivity of the land by:

 Utilizing available solar radiations throughout the year and thus enhancing total productivity

 Many leguminous tree species fix nitrogen from the atmosphere and return much more in leaf fall

than they take from soil.

 Leaves of tree species could be used as green manure and help the farmer to increase soil

productivity at optimum levels over a long period of time.

Diversified products:

 Several trees, shrubs, herbs and climbers yield a substantial quantity of food materials which are

used by rural poor and particularly by tribal.

 About 213 species of large and small trees, 17 species of palm, 128 species of shrubs, 116

species of herbs, 4 species of fern and 15 species of fungi are known to yield edible/food

material.

 Thus, by adopting agroforestry one can get diversified products viz. fuel, fodder, fruits, fibre,

timber, etc.

 Agroforestry aims to maximize production of biomass of trees and agricultural crops.

 Tree and agriculture crop production system is more productive and is capable of meeting

almost all the demands of timber, fodder, fruits, fiber and firewood.

Utilization of wasteland and degraded land

 These lands can be gainfully utilized for the cultivation of trees.

 Once the area is vegetated, ecological restoration process starts by means of leaf litter

decomposition etc., which leads to improvement in soil condition.

 Once the soil is improved, this land can be utilized for agricultural production.

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Provides employment opportunities:

 Unemployment is the country’s main problem.

 Agroforestry systems increase the employment opportunities.

 Plantation, including seed collection and nursery raising generate employment

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 CHAPTER TWO

2. CLASSIFICATION OF AGROFORESTRY SYSTEM

2.1. Types of agroforestry classification

2.1.1. Structural classification of agroforestry

It refers to the composition of components such as forestry, agriculture and livestock. This component

composition can be in time (temporal or short duration and long duration) and space (dense or spatial),

and other terms are used to justify the various arrangement made for system development.

 Considers the composition of components including spatial and mixture of the woody

components.

 Vertical stratification of the components mix and temporal arrangement of the components.

 The spatial arrangement of trees in agroforestry system can be categorized as mix dense (like in

home garden), mix sparse (like in pasture land), strip of trees, and boundary plantation.

The main agroforestry systems under components composition are as follows:

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 Hence on the basis of structure agroforestry system can be grouped into two broad categories

such as nature and arrangement of components.

1. Nature of components: Based on nature of component agroforestry systems can be classified into

following categories

A. Agrisilviculture system

B. Silvopastoral system and

C. Agrosilvopastoral system

A) Agrisilviculture system (crops + Tree)

This system involves the conscious and deliberate use of land for the concurrent production of

agricultural crops including tree, crops and forest crops.

B) Silvo-Pastoral System (Trees + Pasture and/or Animals)

The production of woody plants combined with pasture is referred to as a silvi-pastoral system. The

trees and shrubs may be used primarily to produce fodder for livestock or they may be grown for

timber, fuel wood, and fruit or to improve the soil. A silvo-pastroal system is needed in dry areas, in

order to meet out the demands of wood and fodder throughout the year.

C) Agro-silvopastoral System (Crops + Tree +Grasses/Animals)

Growing of trees, agriculture crops and grasses together in same lands at the same time is known as agri-

silvi-pastoral system

2. Based arrangement of components

Arrangement of component refers to the plant component of the system even in agroforestry system

involving animal the management of such animal according to definite plan such as rotational grazing

scheme is in consideration more of the plant than animal. Such plant arrangement in multi species

combination can involve dimension, space and time.

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i. Spatial arrangement

– Mixed dense, e.g., homegardens

– Mixed sparse, e.g. most systems of trees in pastures

– Zonal-microzonal, macrozonal

Spatial or zonal agroforestry varies from microzonal (such as alternate rows of plant components) to

macrozonal arrangements. An extreme form of the zonal arrangement is the boundary planting of trees

on edges of plots for fruits, fodder, fuel wood, fencing, soil protection and windbreak.

ii. Temporal arrangement

Depending on the temporal arrangement of the components, agroforestry can be classified as:

a. Simultaneous agroforestry systems – In simultaneous agroforestry systems the tree and crop

components occupy the same land unit at the same time. There is significant overlap in the growth

cycles of tree/crop components. As a result there is direct interaction between the two species. i.e. the

tree and the crop species. Simultaneous agroforestry systems include alley cropping, parklands,

fodder/protein banks, live fences, boundary markings and homegardens.

b. Sequential agroforestry systems – are those in which trees and crops occupy the same land unit at

different times and interaction between them is indirect. The growth of the crop and the tree

components occur at different times even when both components may have been planted at the same

time. One component species may grow rapidly, while the other grows slowly. Nutrient uptake peaks

of the component species may also occur in a sequence, which makes the species complementary in

the use of soil resources. Interactions between tree and crop components are reduced with time in

sequential agroforestry systems. Examples of sequential agroforestry systems are improved fallows

and rotational woodlots. In simultaneous agroforestry systems, management should aim at limiting

interspecific competition while in sequential systems, the farmer utilizes the residual effects of the

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trees. Thus, in shifting cultivation the farmers pile the cut trees into smaller area, burn them and then

plant a new crop, which depends on the accumulated ash. In improved fallows, nitrogen fixing trees

are deliberately planted to improve soil physical conditions and soil fertility in general, which benefits

subsequent crops grown after harvesting the trees. Temporal arrangement of plant in agroforestry

systems i.e simultaneous and sequential agroforestry systems can also take can take various forms such

as;

 Coincident: When two component woody and non woody components occupy the land together

as coffee under shade tree and pasture under shade trees.

 Concomitant: When two component woody or non woody stays together for some part of life

as in taungya

 Intermittent (Space dominated): When annual crops are grown with perennial crops.

 Interpolated (Space and time dominated): When different components occupy space during

different time as in home garden.

 Separate (time dominated): When component occupy space during separate time such as

improved fallow species in shifting cultivation.

2.1.2. Functional classification of agroforestry

Refers to the major function or role of the system, usually furnished by the woody components (these

can be of a production service or protective nature, e.g., windbreak, shelterbelt, soil conservation).

i. Agroforestry for fuel wood production:

In this system, various multipurpose fuelwood/firewood species are inter-planted on or around

agricultural lands. The protective role is to act as fencing, shelter belts and boundary demarcation.

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ii. Shelterbelt/ windbreaks

Shelterbelt is a wide belt of trees, shrubs and grasses, planted in rows which goes right across the land

at right-angle to the direction of the prevailing winds to deflect air current, to reduce wind velocity and

to give general protection to cultivated areas against wind erosion and desiccating effect of the hot

winds in lee-ward side.

iii. Soil conservation hedges:

In this system, the major groups of components are: multipurpose and/or fruit trees and common

agricultural species. The primary role of multipurpose fruit trees and agricultural species is soil

conservation and provision of various tree products. The following tree species are used for soil

conservation:

2.1.3. Socio-economic classification of agroforestry

Refers to levels of inputs (low input, high input), or intensity or scale of management and commercial

goals (subsistence, commercial, intermediate).

 Commercial agroforestry systems: aim at the production of a saleable output (for example,

commercial tree plantations with under planting of food crops)

 Intermediate agroforestry systems: fall between commercial and subsistence scales of

production and management

 Subsistence agroforestry systems: are directed toward satisfying basic needs, and are managed

mostly by the owner/occupant and his family. Cash crops, including sale of produce surplus are

only supplementary

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2.1.4. Ecological classification of agroforestry

Refers to the environmental condition and ecological suitability of systems, based on the assumption

that certain types of systems can be more appropriate for certain ecological conditions; i.e., there can

be separate sets of agroforestry systems as;

A) Humid / Sub-humid lowlands agroforestry systems;

Examples: Homegardens, Trees on rangelands and pastures, improved fallow in shifting cultivation

and Multipurpose woodlots.

B) Semiarid and arid lands agroforestry systems;

Examples: Various forms of silvo-pastoral systems, wind breaks and shelterbelts.

C) Tropical high lands agroforestry systems;

Examples: Production systems involving plantation crops such as coffee, tea, use of woody perennials

in soil conservation and improved fallow.

In summary, most agroforestry categories can be found in all agroecological zones; therefore,

agroecological zonation alone cannot be taken as a satisfactory basis for classification of agroforestry

systems. However, agroecological characteristics can be used as a basis for designing agroforestry

systems, because, similar ecological regions can be found in different geographical regions, and the

agroforestry systems in similar ecological zones in different geographical regions are structurally (in

terms of the nature of species components) similar.

The main point is that several types of agroforestry systems and practices (existing as well as potential)

are relevant to any major agroecological zone; depending on the special conditions of a zone, the

emphasis of the system or practice will also vary. For example, in the tropical highlands, one of the

main considerations would be the protective role (soil conservation potential) of agroforestry.

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 CHAPTER THREE

3. SELECTING TREES FOR AGROFORESTRY

3.1. Multipurpose tree species (MPTs)

The multipurpose tree species (MPTs) is a plant species that are purposefully grown so as to provide two

or more than two products and also a service functions like shelter, shade, land sustainability of the land-

use system. Many woody perennial species may be ‘multipurpose’ in one kind of system but ‘single

purpose’ in another.

Figure: 3.1. MPTs

Basic attributes/ characteristics of MPTs

To be a multipurpose trees species, tree should fulfill the following criteria:

 Wider adaptability to local climatic conditions.

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  Thin and sparse crown that allows sunlight enter into the system

 Capacity to withstand various management practices like coppicing, lopping and pollarding etc.

 Quick sprouting habit.

 Productive capacity that includes poles, wood, food, fodder, medicinal and other products.

 Good leaf litter making nutrients available at appropriate times in the crop cycle.

 Few and shallow lateral roots (or prunable).

 Ability to assist in nitrogen fixation.

 Resistance to drought, flooding, soil variability and other climatic hazards.

 Deep thrusting taproot system.

 Easy to manage

 Cheap to establish

 Higher demand and better value for the produce.

3.2. Tree species selection and concept of ideotype

Trees can be used in a variety of ways; they can be planted in various locations and for many purposes.

They are extremely valuable in shaping the landscape and in sustaining the capacity of the land to

support a growing population. However, trees have a long lifespan and grow to a large size, so the

grower has to be able to wait till the tree yields its product. Moreover, as land is getting scarce it is

becoming more difficult to give trees the space they need. Because of these limitations it is very

important to choose the right tree and to plant it in the right place. Appropriate agroforestry species

selection follow species ideotype model. ideotype literally means "a form denoting an idea." In its

broadest sense, an ideotype is a biological model which is expected to perform in a predictable manner

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within a defined environment. A land user would like to have one type of tree that meets all their needs

at the same time; this ideal tree is called an ideotype. Agroforestry species is selected based on species

ideotype i.e. ideal tree

What to do in species ideotype?

An ideotype specifies the ideal attributes of a plant for a particular purpose meaning specifying what

the tree must satisfy. The structural, physiological, phenological, and management characteristics of

species should be described. To do this, having an information or knowledge about associated crops is

also important, which is obtained from crop sheet. Important point to remember is that the species

ideotype description will differ for each specific agroforestry situations. Agroforestry species are

selected based on plant typologies for land-use systems. Plant typology is a tool to classify into

different homogenous groups. Example Fertilizers trees, Fuelwood trees, Fodder trees, Fruit trees etc.

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Where trees fit on the farm?

The location of trees on a farm varies with the purpose of planting trees. For instance, fruit trees are

best planted near the house; trees for livestock feed are best planted near grazing fields and trees for

fuelwood can be located further away from the farm.

3.3. Desirable characteristics of tree species for agroforestry

Agroforestry is a deliberate integration of trees and crops in general, in same unit of land. These trees

and crops compete with each other for nutrients, moisture and light. Therefore there are both +ve and –

ve interaction among different components. In order to have a positive interaction among different

components one must select a compatible component so that from a single unit of land a

farmer/cultivator maximize his/her production. While selecting tree species for agroforestry three

factors must take into consideration such as climate, soil and biotic factors. While selecting tree

species for agroforestry systems, the following desirable characteristics should be taken into

consideration. Though all desirable characters are not found in a single species, but their multiple uses

are taken care of.

i. Tree species selected should not interfere with soil moisture

 Tree species selected for agroforestry should have very less water requirement

 Should not compete with main agricultural crops for water.

 Tree species should be deep tap rooted so they can draw water from deep strata of the soil.

ii. Tree species should not compete for plant nutrients

 Tree species should not utilize more plant nutrients

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  They should help in building soil fertility,

 Leguminous tree species which fix atmospheric nitrogen in their roots should be prefer.

 The root system and root growth characteristics should ideally result in to exploration of soil

layers that are different to those being trapped by agricultural crops.

iii. Tree species should not compete for sunlight

 Tree species should not interrupt sunlight falling on the crops.

 Tree species should be light branching in their habit.

 Trees permit the penetration of light into the ground and promote better crop production, pasture

growth and yield.

iv. Tree species can withstand pruning operation if it possess dense canopy.

 Tree species should have high survival rate and easy establishment

 Trees species should have high survival percentage,

 Leave little or no gaps after transplanting.

 Hardy tree species are easy to establish.

 They have less mortality percentage because they can tolerate transplanting shocks easily.

 Should have ability to regenerate lateral roots within a short time after transplanting

v. Tree species should have fast growing habit and easy management

 Tree species for agroforestry system should be essentially fast growing,

 Rapid growth, especially in the early years,

 Tree should have short rotation (the period between planting and final harvesting)

 Fast growing species

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vi. Tree species should have wider adaptability

 A tree species selected for agroforestry combinations must have a wider adaptability.

vii. Tree species should have high palatability as a fodder

 Most of the Indian farmers rear livestock separately and cut and carry method of fodder

production is quite prevalent.

 Therefore, in agroforestry, farmer must select those tree species which are palatable to livestock

and had a high digestibility.

viii. Tree species should have shelter conferring and soil stabilization attributes

 Some tree species, because of their inherent growth habit and adaptability, are especially helpful

in providing protection for soils, crops and livestock. Poplars (Populus spp.), Willows (Salix

spp.), Casurina equisetifolia, etc. for example, have been extensively used in soil erosion control

because of their extensive root system and ability to grow in waterlogged soils.

ix. Tree species should have capability to withstand management practices

 Many agroforestry systems demand extensive pruning and lopping of the trees in order to

maximize production. In such cases, the trees must be able to withstand such treatment without

drastically restricting growth rate.

x. Tree species should have nutrient cycling and nitrogen fixation attributes

 Within an agroforestry system, trees can play an important role in recycling nutrients leached

down through the soil profile and minerals released from weathering parent material such as

rocks and sediments.

 These nutrients are used in the growth and development of the tree, many returning to the top-

soil in form of dead leaves, twigs, flowers and seeds which slowly decompose on the surface, or

are eaten by animals.

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