Why is agro forestry beneficial for farmers?
Answers
Agro forestry can augment soil water availability to land use systems. In dry regions, though, competition between trees and crops is a major problem. ... Agro forestry can provide a more diverse farm economy and stimulate the whole rural economy, leading to more stable farms and communities.
World demand for timber is steadily increasing, while availability of hardwoods from natural forests is decreasing. Some of the future timber supply will come from large plantations. However, timber and wood products can also be a sustainable, high-value yield from farms and agroforests.
FARM FORESTRY
Farm forestry is the management of trees for timber yields by farmers. Farm forestry can take many forms. Some farm forestry projects resemble small-scale forest plantations. Others are diverse agroforests, involving timber trees mixed with animals, crops, or other trees with nontimber products. Projects can range in size from very small (one acre) to very large (hundreds of acres). Farm forestry has the potential to produce quality timber products, increase farm incomes, support community development, and provide employment and environmental benefits.
Often the term "forestry" has been associated with large-scale single-species plantations managed exclusively for commercial return of a timber product. Indeed, much of the scientific and economic study of forestry has been devoted to the needs of this industrial form of forestry. The farm forester shares the goal of commercial timber returns. However, the small-scale farm forester may have a very different set of resources, needs, and objectives compared to the industrial forest investor.
TIMBER TREES ON FARMS
Some farm foresters may choose to devote all or part project to a solid stand of timber trees. These plantings usually consist of trees planted close together, uniformly spaced, and managed as small-scale timber plantations. Sometimes called woodlots or tree farms, these plantings can also be a productive use of poor, difficult, or hard-to-access farmland, such as steep slopes, river banks, or waterlogged areas.
There are many ways to integrate timber trees with other farm practices such as with pasture, windbreaks, and crops. These may improve returns and enhance environmental benefits. Integrating trees into farm systems may also have potential drawbacks. Careful planning is necessary to select appropriate species, and to prevent problems from competition and shading. Good planning helps to ensure that the interactions between the trees and other farm elements are beneficial, and result in a net gain for the farmer.
Some examples of ways to integrate timber trees with other farm elements include:
Silvopastoral systems (trees and livestock)
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