AGROFORESTRY
Small Farms Research
Center
The Small Farms Research center at
Alabama A & M University (AAMU)
was first conceived in 2000 with
funding from USDA’s Office of
Outreach authorized under section
2501 of the 1990 Farm Bill. The
mission of the center and the Small
Farmers Outreach and Technical
Assistance Program is to assist all
small and limited resources farmers
effectively deal with agricultural risk,
food safety , and overall farm management issues and provide them with
information.
Learn more about us by visiting our
website and Facebook page through
the link below
Website
http://www.aamu.edu/sfrc
Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/
smallfarmsresearchcenter
Dr. Duncan M. Chembezi
Director & Professor
(256) 372-4970
Email: duncan.chembezi@aamu.edu
Ms. E’licia L..Chaverest
Program Manager & Marketing Specialist
(256) 372–4958
Email: elicia.chaverest@aamu.edu
Mr. JaMarkus C. Crowell
Program Assistant
(256) 372-4424
Email: jamarkus.crowell@aamu.edu
Ms. Bhargavi K. Pucchakayala
Program Assistant
(256)372-4424
Email: bpucchak@bulldogs.aamu.edu
Small Farms Research center
Alabama A & M University
4900 Meridian Street
James I. Dawson Building Room #219
P.O. Box 700
Normal, Alabama 35762-0700
Tel: 1-866-858-4970
Agroforestry
Agroforestry is an integrated system of
rural land resources management based on
combination of trees or shrubs with crop or
livestock whose interactions generate economic, environmental and social benefits.
Agroforestry products are divided into two
major groups:
Timber forest products, such as wood intended for construction, processing, and
pulp and paper sector.
Non timber forest products (NTFP’s) include:
Food products: Includes
mushrooms
and
ginseng.
Manufactured products: Includes essential oils.

Providing shade for
vegetable or other
crops that require or
tolerate it.

Long - term production of fuel and
timber.
Medium and long
term production of fruits.

Getting started with agroforestry systems:
Things to be consider
to make a decision:
Further decisions are made by considering
duration of the system
If it is a temporary system:

Before establishing system, soil erosion
control, earthworks and gully maintenance
are to be taken care.

Depending up on system, spacing between
the trees are decided.

Select plants are annuals or short-lived
perennials.
If it is a permanent system:

Depends upon local need, plan for permanent fruits and lumber trees.
 Depends upon trees the spacing is decided.
 Select crops that are used for soil
protection and enrichment. Plan for
shade tolerant crops that can be planted in
shade areas.
If it is a temporary and permanent system:

Identify family and
community needs

Identify needs that
could
be
met
through agroforestry system
Health and beauty products: drugs, shampoo and soaps.

Identify potential benefits of agroforestry in
your area
Decorative and aesthetic products: Christmas trees and cones for crafts.

Find the limiting constraints in agriculture,
including marketing.

Start the system on small scale.

Measure input and output of the system.
Environmental products: biogas and bio
pesticides.

Consider whether the people of the region are
willing to adopt agroforestry system.

Evaluate the benefits of the system.
Horticultural products: shrubs, wild flowers and straw.

Expand system cautiously.
Things that are needed to design agro-forestry
system:
Benefits of Agroforestry

Select the area.

Improves soil health and water quality.


Increase of total food production and
salable products.
Characterize the strengths and weakness of that
area.

Select trees, shrubs or grasses similar to the
local area.

Maintain minimum space requirements, between trees for intercropping.

Increased efficiency in use of land.

Long - term production of fuel and
timber.
For more information:
http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/
usdahome?navid=agroforestry