multipurpose tree species research for small farms: strategies ... - part

Design
Based on the detailed understanding of the
farming systems of NTT, research programs are
identifying where improvemcnts to the system can
be made and implemented.
The Amarasi system has been used as the
foundation for improving crop/livestock farming
systems. Modifications are required for different
areas. Several tree legumes are incorporated into
the system depending on farmers' preferences and
their suitability to the environment. Field
(unpublished data) has discussed how legumes can
be included in the farming system without
suppressing wet season crop production. Legumes
that are fast growing, tolera e burning and regular
coppicing, arc palatable to cattle and easily
cstablished by sccd are recommended. Examples
include Acacia villosa, Calliandra calothyrsus,
Gliricidiasepitn, L. leucocephala varieties
resistant to H. cubana,and severalAlbiziaand
Flemingiaspp.
Sesbaniagrandifolia is not suitable in large
quantities because it can not tolerate pruning and
at high densities may compete with the food crops.
However, S. grandifolia is an cxccllvnt fodder and
is used as a vegctable. The tu, should be
randomly scattered throughout the cropping area
and harvested when necessary. Farmers will
decide how many plants they necd in their
cropping area.
The legumes arc planted in rows 2-4m apart,
and the food crops are planted between the rows.
The lcgumes arc allowed to develop into a forest.
Cropping intensity determines the length of the
forest fallow. The longer the faliow, the greater the
build up of soil fertility and the subsequent
reduction in wced seed reserves. The legumes are
planted in 2-4m alleys to allow the trees to develop
a dense canopy immediately after harvesting the
maize. The trees will shade out weeds and
increase the amount of biomass produced for
livestock fodder and as a green manure,
The tree legumes have to be regularly coppiced
during the cropping phase to reduce competition
with the annual crop. ()c Maten (1986) has
dcmonstri.tcd that by pruning the legume to
ground level prior to planting and twice during the
cropping phase, competition can be reduced. In
some cases thc pruning may increase labor inputs,
Pruning to ground levcl before planting allows the
farmer to casily cut back the regrowth at 25 and 50
days after planting du.ring normal weeding
activities,
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Field (1987) found that for each kilogram of
L. leiucocephalaleaf added to the soil, maize
yields were increased by 0.24kg. The wood
produced by the legume becomes a haven for
pests (rodents and the giant African snail
Achatiafulica) if left in the garden. Farmers
either burn the wood on-site or sell the wood for
fuelwood if possible. The legume selected and
the recommended management system will
depend on the farmer's preference, needs and
capabilities. Rewmmendations to farmers
should not be too rigid, but broad enough for
the farmer to make the best decision. As long
as the extension officer is supplied with
adequate information he/she can assist the
farmer in the decision making process.
Tree crops that require minimalinputs are
recommended throughout NTT, similar to the
lontar system in Roti. Care must be taken when
introducing tree crops into the farming system.
Farmers are conccrned that the trees may
compete with the annual crops, reducinig
potential yields. Trees that can be pruned to
minimize crop competition are readily adopted.
As their dependency on annual crops
diminishes, farmers may utilize their available
land for other tree crops. Cassiasiamea, T.
indica,Coffea canephora,A. moluccana and
Cocos nucifera art. grown by farmers throughout
NTT similar to the lontar palm. The trees are
not supplicd with any inputs and readily
establish themselves in a number of
environments. Farmers are able to harvest the
crops when necessary and tradin systems have
developed to facilitate the sale ol the crops.
As chemical inputs become available the
farmer can improve the productivity of the crop.
Most tree crops respond to fertilizer and
farmers are able to make use of this opportunity
as their income increases. Identification of tree
crops for the range of agroecosystcms
throughout NTT is currently being undertaken
by a number of projects. The initial program is
evaluating tree crops in a zero input, negligible
management system. Suitable tree crop
varicti s and species under this management
rcgime will be distributed to farmers. Farmers
will decide which crops they prefer to grow.
Establishment of tree crops in non-cropping
areas is difficult. Livestock, fires and weeds
reduce the success rate of planting trees in the
grasslands. Areas that are cropped with annual
crops provide the best site to establish tree
crops bccause they can be protected during the
c.tablishment phase. The annual crop may