5. Collaborative Programmes Division

5.3 Zonal Research and Training Activities

Humid Lowlands (West Africa)

The planning and formulation phases of the Agroforestry Research Project in the Humid Lowlands of Cameroun were completed during the year and institutional arrangements were made for joint activities with the Institut de la Recherche Agronomique (IRA). Of the three important land-use systems identified in the ecozone, priority was given to the smallholder one operating on the low-fertility, acid soils of the Southern Plateau. This system is based on bush-fallow cultivation of food crops, coupled with cocoa and home compound plots with small-stock production. The "macro D&D" and "micro D&D" carried out by the IRA/ ICRAF multidisciplinary team identified promising agroforestry interventions and MPT species for all three sub-systems.

The resulting agroforestry research project, funded by the Near East Foundation, will concentrate on generating technologies to intensify food production, through association of crops with fertility-improving trees. A five-year research programme has been formulated, to be implemented by Drs. Jean Tonye of IRA and Bahiru Duguma of ICRAF. Initial research will emphasize assessment of fast-growing and fertifility improving MPT's and their management for improved fallow and alley-cropping arrangements. Acioa barteri, Cassia siamea, Erythrina excelsa. Inga sp. Leucaena leucocephala, and Trema orientalis are some of the MPTs to be tested.