Proceedings of a workshop on research methodologies Medan ...

PRESENT ROLE OF FODDER SHRUBS AND TREES
FST as componentf <strong>of</strong> the smallholder farming system fulfill many technical,
economical and sociocultural needs <strong>of</strong> the smallholder farmers (Nitis, 1986). In young
plantation crops, FST can be used as shade and the leaves are occasionally cut for
ruminant feed. For shade, FST are planted between or at the diagonal crossing <strong>of</strong> the
plantation crop. When the plantation crop reaches production, according to the needs
<strong>of</strong> the plantations, the shade plants are either removed or kept as shade.
In vanilla and pepper plantations, FST are used to support Jimbers and are cut
periodically to prevent over-shading; the FST leaves are fed to ruminants and the
branches are used for firewood. Fodder shrubs <strong>of</strong> the genus Leucaena and Gliricidia
and trees <strong>of</strong> the genus Erythrina are grown to support climbing plantation plants. When
the host shrub is established, the climbing vines are planted at the base.
Smallholder plantation farmers also grow FST along the boundaries <strong>of</strong> fields as
a fence to prevent intruders from disturbing and picking fruits. This arrangement will
eventually provide a windbreak, as well as an in situ fodder source for ruminants and
a firewood reserve for the household. Shrubs are planted at 10 to 20 cm and trees are
planted at 5 to 10 m spacing, along the boundary and between the fence <strong>of</strong> the
plantation crop. In plantations with : 'opes shrubs and trees are grown along the terrace
<strong>of</strong> the field at I to 2 m and 5 to 10 m spacing, respectively.
In timber plantations in East Jva, Indonesia, strips <strong>of</strong> FST are grown with the
cash crop between bands <strong>of</strong> timber trees. In Anona squamnosa fruit plantations in hilly
areas <strong>of</strong> the Philippines, Leucaena is grown in hedgerows <strong>of</strong> 3 to 4 m apart between
the fruit trees (Moog, 1985). In Malaysia, Leucaena is <strong>of</strong>ten used as a nurse crop for
teak and Araucaria species (Ng et al., 1982).
Usually smallholder plantation farmers are not aware that leguminous FST fix
nitrogen, and can increase fertility <strong>of</strong> the soil under plantation crops (Brewbacker, 1985)
if their leaves are incorporated as green manure. Furthermore, when ruminants are
integrated into the plantation, farmers prefer to feed shrub and tree fodder leaves to
the animals and use livestock manure as fertilizer rather than use leaves directly as green
manure. This current preference results in a more efficient utilization <strong>of</strong> carbon and
nitrogen for the plantation.
Economic and Sociocultural Role
FST also can provide a direct source <strong>of</strong> income for the smallholder farmer. For
instance, wood <strong>of</strong> fodder trees such as Artocarpus integra, Hibiscus tiliaceus,
Azadirachtaindica, Lannea coromandelicagrown along the plantation boundary can
be sold as material for farm implements, timber for building and wood for handicrafts.
Fruit <strong>of</strong> boundary fodder trees such as Artocarpus intcgra, Mangifera indica,
Cocus nucifera, Tainarindusindica, and young leaves <strong>of</strong> Sesbania glandiflora and
Moringa oleifera can be sold for human consumption. Amir (1989), in an hypothetical
illustration <strong>of</strong> benefit/cost (B/C) ratio analysis applied to 5 fodder trees grown
along the bounds <strong>of</strong> barren land, showed that after 5 years production for feed,
firewood and farm implement -use, the B/C ratio was 3.12.
Fodder shrubs and trees also play an important sociocultural role in Indonesian
society. Some are used for decorating and for religious ceremonies. They can also be
used as traditional medicine.
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