An e-publication by the World Agroforestry Centre
AGROFORESTRY EXTENSION MANUAL FOR KENYA
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An e-publication by the World Agroforestry Centre |
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AGROFORESTRY EXTENSION MANUAL FOR KENYA
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9. TREE PROPAGATION METHOD 9.6 Group, school and central nurseries So far we have discussed farmer-managed tree propagation techniques. Propagation of certain species does, however, require skills that not all farmers will have, and such seedlings are best raised by specialists for sale to other farmers. These specialists can be entrepreneurs running commercial nurseries, groups running commercial nurseries or government authorities or NGOs running nurseries. Government-run nurseries should not primarily aim at mass production of seedlings. Farmer-managed methods are more suitable for this. Government nurseries and other central nurseries should, however, serve as experimental stations and extension centres where new or less well-known species are tried out and tree propagation techniques can be demonstrated to farmers. The production should primarily be geared towards a wide variety of species, with priority on those species that people cannot easily raise themselves. Fruit trees that require budding and grafting, and species where aspects of seedling health and good propagation material are important can be raised in central nurseries. Species for which simple propagation techniques are applicable and known to farmers should be raised for demonstration only, i.e. in small numbers. Schools may also run tree nurseries with a dual purpose: both to act as training grounds for pupils and for production of seedlings for the school. A good and permanent water source nearby is a must for all nurseries of any size. Management of larger nurseries requires good organization to cater for continuous attention and care. A short period of negligence, e.g. due to one member of a group failing to meet his or her obligations, or a school failing to organize people to water the nursery when the pupils are on holiday, may ruin months of work. Since information on nursery techniques is available from many other sources no further elaboration is made here.
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