Conceptual Framework for Designing Agroforestry System
0 likes64 views
Conceptual framework for designing AFS is important to understanding various guidelines that help to diagnosis and design (D&D) of the AFS practices.
Conceptual Framework for Designing Agroforestry System
- 1. Presentated by Hem Chand Far Western University Faculty of Agriculture Science School of Agriculture Tikapur, Kailali Conceptual Framework for Designing Agroforestry System Course: Fundamentals of Agroforestry (AGR121) Bsc.Ag 1st Sem. 2025 @hem.chand.thakuri.io @hemchand_np @hem.chand.thakuree
- 2. Introduction • Agroforestry System : An agroforestry system integrates trees with crops and livestocks on the same land, aiming to achieve ecological, economics and social benefits. Examples, alley cropping, silvopasture and home garden. • Framework : A structured approaches or system of principles or guidelines that helps in understanding process. • Main Drivers and Barriers : It denotes the influences factors and challenges in agroforestry practices. • Diagnosis and Design: It is a participatory method used in agroforestry to identify problems and propose context to design.
- 3. Conceptual Framework for Designing Agroforestry System
- 4. Affecting Factors for AFS Designing A. Main Drivers and Barriers • Institutional factors : Many policies, regulations and organizational structures that can either support or discourage agroforestry. Examples including government policies, land tenures, access to credit and extension services. • Biophysical factors : The natural condition of the environment such as soil type, climate, and water availabilability are affecting various agroforestry practices. • Socio-economics factors : These are related to the social and economic context of the farmer and their communities. For AFS designing it depending upon household size, access to resources, and farmers perceptions and awareness of agroforestry.
- 5. B. Components Interaction The various interactions between the different components of an agroforestry system. These interactions can be positive and negative, symbiotic relationships between trees and crops; and detrimental interaction. Symbiotic relationships between trees and crops in agroforestry systems refer to mutually beneficial interactions that enhance productivity, sustainability, and ecosystem health. Nitrogen Fixation: Certain trees, like legumes (e.g., Acacia, Gliricidia, Leucaena), have symbiotic relationships with nitrogen-fixing bacteria (Rhizobia). These bacteria enrich the soil with nitrogen, benefiting nearby crops. Shade and Microclimate Regulation: Trees provide shade, reducing heat stress and water evaporation, which can improve the growth conditions for shade-tolerant crops like coffee, cacao, and certain vegetables. Pest and Disease Control: Some trees attract beneficial insects or birds that prey on crop pests, reducing the need for chemical pesticides. Soil Erosion Control and Water Retention: Tree roots help bind the soil, reducing erosion and improving water infiltration, which benefits crops growing alongside them. Nutrient Cycling: Trees shed leaves and organic matter, which decompose and enhance soil fertility, providing essential nutrients to crops. Windbreaks and Protection: Trees act as windbreaks, reducing wind damage to crops and maintaining soil moisture levels.
- 6. Detrimental interactions in agroforestry systems occur when trees and crops compete for essential resources, leading to reduced productivity. Water Competition: Deep-rooted trees may extract large amounts of water from the soil, leaving less available for crops, especially in dry regions. Nutrient Competition: Trees with extensive root systems can deplete soil nutrients, making it harder for nearby crops to access essential minerals. Light Competition: Tall and dense tree canopies can shade crops excessively, reducing their ability to photosynthesize and grow properly. Allelopathy (Chemical Inhibition): Some trees release biochemicals that inhibit the germination or growth of crops. For example, Black Walnut (Juglans nigra) produces juglone, which can be toxic to many plants. Space Competition: Trees and crops growing too close together can lead to overcrowding, reducing air circulation and increasing disease susceptibility. Conti...
- 7. C. Meeting Farmers’ Need The importance of selecting and designing agroforestry systems that address the specific needs and priorities of the farmers. These needs can include things like; Food security: Ensuring a stable and sufficient food supply. Income generation: Providing additional revenue stream through diverse products like timber, fruits, herbs and livestocks. Environmental sustainability: Promoting practices that conserve resources and enhance ecosystem health. D. Agroforestry Species Choosing appropriate tree species is vital and should be based on adaptablity to local environmental condition and farmers preferences. The choice of species will depend on various factors, including biophysical and economic conditions.
- 8. E. Farmers Ideal Tree The ideal characteristics that farmers seek in tree species for agroforestry. These characteristics often include multiple uses (e.g., timber, fuelwood, fodder) and resilience to environmental stresses.
- 9. Criteria for Good Agroforestry Design • Productivity : Productivity in agroforestry can be enhanced by several ways such as increased outputs of trees, agrocrops, animals and other associated integrated activities increased in labour efficiency, reduction in input use, diversification of products, basic need satisfaction and other ways of economic efficiency. • Sustainablity : A design to be sustainable in any agroforestry land use systems (LUS), it should be economical viable, ecologically suitable and culturally appealing. Besides, it should integrate trees, crops in association with animals that are locally acceptable and profitable. It to be a design sustainable, motivation of the land users about then importance of design is also important. • Adaptability : The design should be fit well to the socioeconomics and environmental characteristics of the land use systems for which it is designed.
- 10. Conclusion In conclusion, agroforestry is a sustainable land-use approach that integrates trees, crops, and livestock to enhance productivity, environmental conservation, and socio- economic benefits. A well-designed agroforestry system requires careful consideration of biophysical, socio-economic, and institutional factors to maximize benefits and minimize resource competition. By addressing farmers' needs, promoting knowledge dissemination, and ensuring supportive policies, agroforestry can significantly contribute to food security, climate resilience, and rural development. As global challenges like climate change and land degradation intensify, investing in innovative and context-specific agroforestry systems will be essential for a more sustainable and resilient agricultural future.
- 11. References • Timilsena, U. (2025). Designing agroforestry system. Retrieved from https://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/lecture-6-designing-agroforestry-system- pptx-bd40/274562610 on March 22, 2025. • Martini, E., Riyandoko, & Roshetko, J. M. (2017). Guidelines for establishing coffee-agroforestry system. World Agroforestry Centre. Retrieved on March 22, 2025.