Chapter 4
Agroforestry

The choice of crops for Imperata grassland, like that for any other land, will depend upon:

• Local climate and soils

• Markets and subsistence needs

• Land tenure

• Available labor (people and draft animals)

• Available credit, fertilizer, planting materials, and other inputs

• Extension services

The farmer must produce those crops in a farming system that overcomes the special constraints of Imperata grasslands. This chapter describes agroforestry systems and methods to:

Agroforestry, and related methods and systems, for Imperata grassland rehabilitation

The chapter is organized so that basic methods are presented in the early sections, and more complicated systems using those methods are presented in the later sections.

Most smallholders have very limited labor and cash to invest in their annual crops. They have even less labor and cash to invest in soil conservation, fire control, and tree crops. In addition, they may have cultural preferences and beliefs that guide their choices.

Always remember:

• CHOOSE THE RIGHT SYSTEMS AND METHODS. Recommend only practices the farmer can afford; recommend practices with the greatest benefits and least costs.

• Once a system or method is chosen, DO IT RIGHT: choose quality planting material, thoroughly prepare planting sites, fertilize as necessary, and weed the crop or trees. Otherwise, Imperata will quickly take over.

• PREVENT FIRE and maintain fuelbreaks, or Imperata and the crops and trees will bum