Agroforestry study visit to West Africa

Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation

Authors

Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation

Date

1996

Language

Type

News Item

Accessibility

Open Access

Metadata

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Citation

CTA. 1996. Agroforestry study visit to West Africa. Spore 66. CTA, Wageningen, The Netherlands.

Permanent link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/10568/48588

Internet URL: http://collections.infocollections.org/ukedu/en/d/Jcta66e/

Abstract/Description

study visit to Côte d'Ivoire was organized by CTA in collaboration with the Institut des Savanes (IDESSA) from 16-27 September 1996

Notes

A study visit to Côte d'Ivoire was organized by CTA in collaboration with the Institut des Savanes (IDESSA) from 16-27 September 1996. It was an opportunity for participants to study the present and potential contribution of agroforestry to agricultural production systems. The practical application of research and development to the rural areas was a central theme of this visit, which was based on the humid and sub-humid agroecological zones of West and Central Africa. Agroforestry was also studied within the context of large industrial plantations, which are of major economic importance to the region. Taking part in the study visit were 20 experts from ten countries within the region, and representatives of regional organizations (CEDEAO , CO RAF, UDEAC) and agricultural development agencies (NGOs). Participants were able to study agroforestry developments in Côte d'Ivoire, both in the savanna and the forest zones. They were able to gain an insight into the potential of agroforestry as an alternative to slash-and-burn and as a mechanism for conserving forest species. Many different agroforestry techniques were studied and many ideas discussed. The principal themes covered by the visits were: management of natural vegetation; alley cropping; soil conservation; agroforestry and large industrial plantations; agroforestry and small livestock; training and information exchange; agroforestry and farmer resettlement programmes; and research, extension and farmer links. Participants drew up recommendations regarding the organization and structures required for information and training, research and support services. Key requirements identified included the need for a multidisciplinary approach; the need for cooperation between institutions; the need for economic studies relating to agroforestry techniques; the need for more effective links between research, development and the farming community and, finally, the need to take account of farmer knowledge and to use a participatory approach when developing new agroforestry techniques.