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

Timber is needed by most of the farmers to
manufacture farm implements and to build sheds
and houses. While thick poles are used to build
huts or houses which may last bctwccn 15-30)years,
sheds for livestock and implements are built with
thin poles of inferior quality to last for 5- 1M years.
However, most farmers do not have sufliieueit
resources to buy fodder or fuel, nor will they spend
their valuable time and limited resources on the
production of these products which night
auversely affect their w.'age earning or food
production potential.
In many villages located near forests, cutting
wood from tile forest to sell as fuel or charcoal is
the majotr source of employment. In the tribal
areas of India, collection of minor forest products
such as honey, wax, lac, gum, fruits, nuts, oil-seeds
and herbs for medicines has been the major sourcc
oft raditional employment for generations. With
the increase in the tribal populations and the
vanishing forest resources around them, .reation of
alternate nmians of employment is a priority. To
meet the needs of small-scale farmers, the social
forestry program should be designed to generate
surplus income and gainful employment while
producing fodder and fuel for domestic
consumption.
To increase income and profitability, the
program should be based on appropriate
technology to increase production and basic
infrastructure for organiiing input supply and
marketing. The next important step should be to
motivate the farmers to paiticipate in planting
MPTS to improve their income level and quality of
life.
Technology Adoption
The entire process of persuading small farmers
to plant NIPTS can be divided into four stages.
Creation of Awareness
Small-scale farmers are often not aware of the
potential of planting trees to increase their income
vithin a short time. It is necessary to give them
information about the potential of MPTS to
provide a sustainable livelihood.
Motivation
Small-scale farmers are cautious about adopting
new technology and participating in new activities.
It is necessary to encourage them to participate.
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Training
Aftcr prcparing the farmers to take part in
the program, tlhey must be trained to acquire the
necessary skills to increase production and
optimi/e their available resources.
Organizational Suppori
Credii, inputs, technical supervision and
marketing are essential support services needed
to optimize production and profits. Small-scale
farmers may not be able to participate in the
program unless organizational support is
assured.
Extension Program
When planning an extension program, the
preceding stages should be studied carefully and
appropriate strategies need to be developed to
achieve the objectives at each stage.
Creating awareness and motivation arc
essential to cnhancc the participation of
small-scale farmers. Once the farmers are
motivated to cultivate MPTS, it will be easier to
provide the necessary training to upgrade their
skills.
Communication is the key to create awareness.
Two important components are the message
and the media. Selection of both message and
media depend on the target groups, which vary
by country and region.
Target (;roup
In certain areas, :t is difficult to reach
illiterate farmers through the most common
communication media, but a variety of effective
alternate approaches can be utilized, including
local leaders, village youth organizations,
women's forums, schoolteachers and children.
The media and messages vary in different
regions depending on the education level, extent
of fodder and fuewood availability, demand for
agricultural produce and other factors.
Messages for Forestry Extension
Before developing ncssages to create
awareness and motivatec the people, it is
necessary to clearly identify the issues that will
be communicated to the target population.
These issues rclatc to problems of deforestation
and misconceptions about the reforestation
program itself. Since farmers anticipatc the