Page 161 - Area 9 - Relevant Document
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B. SOCIO-ECONOMIC PREMISE
An agroforestry system alleviates the living conditions of upland farmers
by meeting both the long- and short-term needs. The need for food at short
duration and the used for fruits/food for a few years.
Ways by Which AF Satisfy the Socio-Economic Standards of Farmers
1. Sources of employment
2. Source of raw materials for handicraft or cottage industries
3. Source of food, fuel wood and feed for livestock
4. Source of raw materials for housing and farm
C. CRITERIA FOR A GOOD AGROFORESTRY SYSTEM
1. Productivity
Most, if not all, agroforestry systems aim to maintain or increase
production (of preferred commodities as well as productivity (of the
land). Agroforestry can improve productivity in many different ways.
These include: increased output of tree products, improved yields of
associated crops, reduction of cropping system inputs, and increased
labor efficiency.
The practice increases yield and services per unit area. It produces goods
and benefits higher than the prevailing system.
Combines the production of timber crops and agricultural crops and or
animals simultaneously or sequentially on the same unit of land
Contributes to the socio-economic and ecological uplifting of the
community
It increases the income of the farmers. This requires proper
combination of crops and technologies to achieve acceptable, if not
optimum produce mix to improve farmer’s welfare.
a. Production role
- Contributes to production of direct benefits such as food, fodder,
fuel, fiber and or construction materials.
b. Service role
Agroforestry provide indirect benefits as soil and water conservation,
fertility improvement, micro-climate amelioration, nurse/shade trees and
windbreaks/shelterbelts.