The challenge of HIV/AIDS: Where does agroforestry fit in? - World ...

Chapter 21: Trees outside forests 171and Acacia senegal is a good illustration ofa traditional tree-based farming system thathelps to restore soil fertility and structure.Environmental services and socioculturalvaluesTOF improve air quality and the microclimate,particularly in urban areas. Treesare a valuable carbon ‘sink’ (World Bank2002) and help to reduce soil erosion bychecking wind velocity and water runoff.They are highly valued by many communitiesliving in hot climates as providers ofshade and have significant symbolic, social,religious and cultural status. They alsoprovide many other environmental benefitsand services, such as minimizing the lossof mineral elements through leaching andimproving soil structure.The way forwardIt is generally agreed that increasing agriculturalproductivity is central to growthand poverty alleviation in rural areas. It isalso well understood that increasing productionoften results in the destruction offorest cover, depletion of fertile soil andsevere land degradation.At national and international levels, theimportance of TOF as a resource is oftenoverlooked. Only limited initiatives existedprior to the Kotka meeting in 1993. Sincethen, many case studies conducted at nationaland regional levels have identifiedthe serious livelihood challenges faced bysmallholder farmers. To be effective, treeissues need to be addressed in a holistic,people-centred vision, focusing on themultiple functions of trees.Population pressure on land andforest resourcesIncreasing population pressure on limitedagricultural land has led to the breakdownof many traditional tree-based systems.The result has been diminishing vegetationcover, soil erosion and reduced agriculturalproduction. One of the greatest challengesis that of preventing further erosion of forestcover. Promoting TOF systems withinthe context of land conservation and restorationis one of the most effective ways toimprove productivity of the existing agriculturalland area, thereby limiting pressureon remaining forest resources.Appropriate policy to meet localdevelopment needsMillions of vulnerable people living in ruraland peri-urban areas rely heavily on treeresources for their livelihoods, but they lackan effective voice in decision making. Anurgent challenge is that of extending smallholders’rights in order to give TOF moreprominence as a route towards more sustainablelivelihoods. Farmers will plant moretrees when they are given policy and marketincentives. Formal acknowledgement of userrights over trees growing on farmland wouldprovide a major incentive for the conservationof such trees. On-farm tree managementgenerally makes good economic sensewhen benefits are taken into account in a‘whole farm’ evaluation approach.The best solution would be to integrate TOFinto national agriculture and forestry developmentplans, by focusing on the needs oflocal people to create their own woodlots,protect their environment and improve theirlivelihoods. In order to convince the governmentaldecision-makers and planners toinclude TOF in their national policies andtree planting programmes, however, it is essentialto demonstrate the benefits of trees inthe national economy.Farmers will need to be supported with appropriatelegal measures, market incentivesand the removal of barriers to land accessand tree tenure. National forestry lawsseldom favour small-scale on-farm treeplanting and private investment in forestryis often limited by rigid land tenure systemsand restrictions (FAO 1993). Legal changesto land and tree tenure are critical for TOFpromotion because they secure benefits forthe stakeholders.We believe that a bold approach, that givesstakeholders a voice and the right to decidewhat is necessary, should be the focus ofany policy targeting sustainable development.This requires simultaneous action,however, such as multiple-scale activitiesand careful consideration of how socialand political changes influence the successof different interventions and managementpractices.Building knowledge and capacitiesThe past two decades have witnessedthe development of techniques to designlandscape mosaics based on tree-cropintegration and environmental protection.However, results of many recent case studies,meetings and workshops (FAO 2001a;FAO 2002) highlight the need for furthertechnologies and research to enhance theproper use of trees in landscape restorationand for increasing environmentaland economic viability. In addition, as apriority action, there is a need to evaluatetraditional knowledge and practices for treemanagement. A combination of naturalresource management approaches is likelyto be required.Gender-differentiated managementWomen are the first to be concerned withthe selection and harvesting of non-woodforest products (leaves, roots, fruits, etc.)and have good overall knowledge of theiruse, conservation and processing. A studyin Java showed that 60 percent of a ruralfamily’s food typically comes from home-