AKSUM UNIVERSITY SHIRE CAMPUS

COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE
DEPARTMENT OF SOIL RESOURCE AND WATERSHED
MANAGEMENT
COURSE TITLE:AGROFORESTRY SYSTEMS & PRACTICES(SRWM3122)

Prepared by ID.No.
1. NEGASH WELEARGAY………………………………………………………1105789

2. AREGAWI ZERU………………………………………………………………1105589

3.ZEKARIAS MEKONEN………………………………………...………………..1105826

4.KFLE G/YESUS……………………………………………………….…………1105742

5. HAFTOM ASHEBR ……………………………………………………………..1105651

6.WELEAYEZGI MEBRAHTU…………………………………………………..1105822

7.HAMELMAL FISSEHA…………………………………………………………..5637/11

8.ANGESOM ASMAMAW ………………………………………………………...4848

9.FREWEYNI LUEL……………………………………………………………....1105617

10.FITAW TSEGAY…………………………………………………………….…..5611/11

11.SELAMAWIT BERIHUN………………………………………………………1105742

12.TEKLEBRHAN G/HIWET……………………………………………………..5620/11
Agroforestry systems & practices assignment. Checklists for the agroforestry systems &
practices in your locality
Site information:
Country: Ethiopia Region: Tigray
Name of village: Mai-gaushala District:Wereda tahtay koraro nerth western
Agro-climatic zone: Dega Name of the data collector:Group member of SRWM(R)
1. List the common agroforestry systems ad practices under each system. Use the following checklists
Type of system Agroforestry combinations

Agricultural crop Vegeta Fruit Shrub Forest trees/ Livestock Component

Cash crop Field ble trees species grasses componen interaction type

crop crops ts

Agri-silviculture Tomat Mang Area Multi species

o o closure home garden

Mango Maize Potato Zeyto l Acacia

n seyal

papaye Dagusa Hot Orang Acacia

peppe e albida
r

Banana Teff Lattic Lemin Croton Alley cropping

e macrostachy
us

Kiloe Cordia Shae for

africana commercial
Plantation crop

Alalim
o

Shbra/
Ater

Silvo-pasture Ateat Acacia seyal Got As

fince&fodder

Tahses Acacia Cattle&G Shade&manure

albida ot

Machc Cordia Sheep,Got

ho africana &Cattle

Zeraba
tal

Agri-silvi- maize Lattic Cordia Cattle&be Homegarden&a

pastoral e africana e hive piculture

shmbra Coffee Ficus Bee hive Integrated

vasta(tsekent production of
e) crop

Acacia Cattle&go
albida t

Others maize Croton

macrostachy
us
 sorghu Acacia seyal Bee hive Apiculture
m

Agroforestry systems (AFS) can generate income and provide multiple environmental services.

Agroforestry is a collective name for land-use systems and technologies where woody perennials are deliberately used on the
same land-management units as agricultural crops and/ or animals, in either a spatial arrangement or a temporal sequence.

The scale of management and extent of adoption of these different practices in any particular system will vary considerably
depending upon a number of factors. Any of these practices can become an agroforestry system when it is developed or spread to
such an extent in a specific local area so as to form a distinct land utilization type in that area. One essential point to note here is
that an agroforestry practice can be found to exist even in a non-agroforestry land-use system. An example is the practice of
growing rows of Sesbania grandiflora on the bunds of rice paddies in Java, Indonesia. This woody species is harvested for its
leaves as green manure, its flowers are eaten as a vegetable, it provides firewood and it adds to the fertility of the soil underneath
through biological fixation of atmospheric nitrogen. Thus the woody species interacts ecologically and economically with the
crop (rice) production system; in other words, it is an agroforestry practice in a crop production system.

2. Classify the agroforestry practices depending on the other criteria

i. Functional classification
ii. Socio-economic classification
iii. Ecological classification

I. Functional Classification

Production and protection are, theoretically, two fundamental attributes of all agroforestry systems. This implies
that agroforestry systems have a productive function yielding one or more products that usually meet basic needs and a service
role, i.e., protective function. Based on various functions, the agroforestry systems are classified into the following:

a. Productive Agroforestry system: This system refers to the production of essential commodities required to meet society’s basic
needs. It includes intercropping of trees, home gardens, plantation of trees in and around the crop field, production of animals and
fishes associated with trees. Productive functions are as follows

o Food. Fodder. Fuelwood. Others woods Other products

b. Protective Agroforestry system: This system refers to protect the land, improving climate, reduce wind and water erosion,
improve soil fertility, provide shelter, and other benefits. Protective functions are as follows:

 Windbreak.
  Shelterbelt.

 Soil conservation.

 Moisture conservation.

 Soil improvement.

 Shade (for crops, animals, and man).

II. Socioeconomic Classification

Based on socioeconomic consideration, the agroforestry system is classified as: a. Subsistence
Agroforestry system: Subsistence Agroforestry system aims at the basic needs of a small family having less holding
and very little capacity for investment. There may be some marginal surplus production for sale. e.g., Shifting
cultivation, Scattered trees in the farms, Homestead Agroforestry. b. Commercial Agroforestry system: It refers
to large-scale production on a commercial basis. The main consideration is to sell the products. e.g., Tea/ Coffee under
a shade tree. c. Intermediate Agroforestry system: It is an intermediate between
commercial and subsistence systems. It is practiced on small and medium-sized farms. The system aims to produce
items that are not only enough to meet the needs of the family but also earn money from the surplus that can be sold.

III. Ecological Classification

The Agroforestry system is related to various ecological factors. It can be classified based on important ecological parameters
(Climate, edaphic and physiographic ones).
Based on Ecological parameters, it can be classified as

a) Tropical: Vegetation in an extreme climate, such as high temperature, low humidity, scarcity of water, etc., e.g.
Tropical Silvopasture.
b) Sub-tropical: Vegetation in suitable climatic conditions. e.g., Agroforestry practices in the subtropical regions.
c) Temperate: Vegetation in low temperature. e.g., Silvopasture or pastoral silviculture in the temperate region.
d) Subalpine: Vegetation in low and medium mountainous regions. e.g., Natural or artificial forest vegetation in low or
medium mountains.
e) Alpine: Vegetation in high mountainous regions. e.g., Natural forest vegetation in high altitude.
3.List the common multipurpose trees in your locality and characterize them

Plant (trees or shrub) species

Species name Characteristics Management (lopping,
pollarding, coppicing, pruning
or other
Comm Scientific Plant type (tree, Stem Cr Rootin Po Deciduousn
on name shrub or vine) ow g ds ess
name n pattern
Awuhi Cordia Tree High M Deep High coppicin pru
africana stem edi root g, nin
um g
Bahriz Eucalypt Tree High Hi Deep Low coppicin pru
af us stem gh root g, nin
g
Chae Acacia Tree High M Deep po High coppicin
seyal stem edi root ds g,
um
Momo Acacia Tree High Hi Deep Ye Low coppicin pru
na albida stem gh root s g, nin
g
Alalim Lantana Shrub Low Lo Shallo
o camera w w root
Gaba Ziziphus Tree High M Deep Low Lopping pru
mucronat stem edi root nin
e um g
Tahses Dodoniy Shrub Low Lo Shallo No Low coppicin
w w root g,
Tambo Croton Tree High M Deep po High coppicin pru
k macrosta stem edi root ds g, nin
chus um g

Dandir Rumexne Shrub Low Ve Shallo High coppicin

e rvosus ry w root g,
lo
w
Nim Milia Tree High De Deep Low pruning
azdchata ns root
e
Multipurpose trees or multifunctional trees are trees that are deliberately grown and managed for
more than one output.

4. List the main advantages and disadvantages/ challenges of agroforestry in the

place

agroforestry is a term used for trees incorporated into farming systems in many diverse ways and for various purposes.
Agroforestry can be, for example, scattered trees on pastures, diverse fruit and nut trees in orchards, but even tree
plantations like rubber tree forests that resemble jungle or perfectly aligned poplars for biomass production. In this scenario,
fruit, fodder and wood products are obtained from trees.

What are the advantages of agroforestry?

Agroforestry belongs to sustainable farming practices. The practice is based on ecological principles that are

observed in natural ecosystems. here are some good reasons why… Soil fertility and closed nutrient
cycles: Soils are under enormous pressure. Intensive way of farming is based on the principles of
economy rather than the principles of ecology, yet, it deals with living organisms that interact in
complex ways that we cannot simplify and replicate in a uniform way.

Control of soil salinity

More than 900 million hectares of land worldwide is infertile because of high soil salinity . This land cannot
sustain common crops and is often abandoned. But one of the main reasons why the salt content in soils increases
is irrigation-dependent agriculture in areas with drier climate.

Prevention of runoff, better water management and cleaner groundwater

Trees do so much for water. Their role in water management is irreplaceable. Incorporating trees into the food
production system is in many cases one of the best strategies we can choose to make sure that soils have optimum
moisture levels to sustain crops.

Stabilization of soils and microclimate

Standing tall and strong in the landscape, well-rooted in the ground, with branches swinging in the wind, trees are
one of the most stabilizing elements in the landscape. Wildlife and people have instinctively been drawn to trees
for safety in times of discomfort and it has always worked in our favor.
Lower input of agrochemicals

Agroforestry improves soil quality, provides nutrients and modifies microclimate in a way that naturally supports
many crop varieties and livestock. Tree crowns casting shade over land suppress the growth of weeds. Leaves,
branches and bark create protective mulch in intercropping systems. This encourages recycling of nutrients .

Improvement of wildlife and pollinator habitat

Habitat loss due to the modern development and intensive agriculture with hectares of monoculture fields drives
many species of birds, amphibians, insects and even mammals away from large areas of land. This is a problem
because we cannot substitute for services these little creatures perform for the health of ecosystems where we live.
In fact, in many cases we are not even aware of the function of some organism until it disappears and adverse
effects following its demise take over.

Remediation of polluted soils

Trees have the ability to absorb pollutants from deeper soil layers and immobilize them in their woody parts.
Through their roots creating a rich network that can reach as low as water table, trees prevent groundwater

pollution from nutrient leaching and effectively remove soil contaminants. This includes agricultural pesticides
and their degradation products as well as heavy metals ,but also persistent organic pollutants .

Provision of diverse products and poverty reduction

Despite the arguments of farmers advocating for monocultures, properly managed agroforestry
systems diversify farm’s production and can produce bigger quantity from the land. When
suitable tree species are selected, they do not compete with crops for resources. Instead, they
provide additional benefits that support higher crop yields.
 Prevention of damage to forests

Through the provision of a wide range of products, agroforestry practices help to prevent
deforestation in places where wood is needed for cooking and as a fuel for other activities.
Other activities that lead to a quick loss of forest cover are charcoal burning and expansion of
agriculture.

Climate change mitigation (carbon sequestration)

In recent years, the role of agroforestry in climate change mitigation and adaptation received particularly strong attention.
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) identifies agroforestry as one of the main
climate mitigation practices used in agriculture, and 40 percent of developing countries are considering agroforestry as an
important part of their climate change mitigation plans [25].

There are two ways how agroforestry helps to address problems that are contributing to climate change. Agroforestry
systems:

 sequester atmospheric carbon;

 reduce deforestation, restore degraded lands and biodiversity.

What are the disadvantages of agroforestry?

Agroforestry systems can be as diverse as natural ecosystems are. What works on one farm, may not work on another farm.
The combination of crops, animals and tree species interacts in complex ways that can be difficult to predict.

 Labor intensive system

A successful agroforestry system requires adequate knowledge, planning and periodic tree maintenance. Having trees or
shrubs among the crops doesn’t allow complete mechanization of the farm’s production, which can be a nuisance for some
farmers.

 Long waiting time for payback

There are very few downsides to agroforestry. However, the main disadvantage for those
trying to grow trees and shrubs for profit is time. Agroforestry is never a quick “fix” because
 trees, unlike crops, take a long time to mature before they can really fulfill their purpose in the
system.

 Limited possibilities to sell products

Agroforestry is seriously underestimated and overlooked from many perspectives. Unfortunately, one reason why
farmers are reluctant to switch to agroforestry are poorly structured markets for many tree products. A part of the
problem is that many agroforestry products are not commonly traded goods.

 Lack of legal support for agroforestry farmers

After the Second World War, intensive agriculture quickly replaced other forms of farming. Monocultures
prevailed because they were seen as the most productive systems, allowing for mechanization and efficiency of
farming operations. That is when agricultural policies and incentives started to favor these farming methods.

 Knowledge and technology intensive method

Successful agroforestry systems require proper knowledge and evaluation of the complexities of such a multi-
dimensional production. Farmers need to master the methods of combining different plants, considering their

compatibility and long-term effects on each other. They also need to think of their main objective .

 Competition for resources

When not selected to complement each other, trees may compete with crops or livestock for resources. If farmers
plant trees in narrow alleys, it is likely that when they will grow bigger, their crowns will shade most of the land
below.

 Invasive species and alternate hosts of pests :-The choice of the right tree species determines the
success of the whole system. Trees impact their surrounding environment and their impact doesn’t have to be only
a positive one. In some cases, trees can harbor pests of crops or provide nesting habitats to birds and rodents that

damage crops.

 Allelopathy

Some trees produce chemicals that inhibit growth of other plants. This effect is called allelopathy and can be very profound
in some tree species. For example, Eucalyptus trees, that were once favored in agroforestry, suppress vegetation (including
crops) up to a distance of 36 feet (11 meters) away from trees.
5.How do you evaluate the perception of farmers about agroforestry systems and practices? Please
put your suggestions on the future of the system.

Farmer Perceptions
Within the context of agricultural technology adoption, this research defines farmer perceptions as the farmer’s
subjective preferences, which are fundamental characteristics that may impact decision-making processes .Farmer
perceptions are affected by a variety of prior behaviors, experiences, and observations, as well as future aspirations.
These are also influenced by a variety of external factors, including as individual and household characteristics,
institutions, socioeconomic conditions, and environmental conditions .Farmers’ perceptions may shift over time when
new information becomes available and earlier perceptions adapt.[Farmer impressions may or may not correspond to
actual reality. As a result, in order to avoid biased results, the study takes into account all farmer impressions, whether
they reflect reality or not.

The degradation of forest resources and rising demand for forest products, particularly among rural people who rely on forests for
a living, have exacerbated the gap between supply and demand for forest products. Despite increased awareness of the
importance of on-farm trees, this practice cannot significantly improve the positions of landless and impoverished households in
areas where land holding disparities persist. Rather, these practices provide a higher financial return to land-rich households
while providing a lower financial return to land-poor households. Farmers in the study areas are using agroforestry in two ways:
conventional and advanced agroforestry practices. As previously indicated, we developed a framework to demonstrate how
diverse agroforestry systems contribute to household income and assist farmers in building resilience. Multiple factors influence
these characteristics, ultimately motivating farmers to choose agroforestry as a superior method for their improvement. We

designed this study to investigate the drivers of household farm income from AFP at the study sites based on this premise.

Suggestions on the future of the Af system in Mai-gaushala ;Need an integrate environmental

impact assessment approaches i,e the farmer awareness ,scientific research,policy,community
participation;To evaluate,monitoring&auditing the shape of future agroforesty systems.