Forage tree adoption and use in Asia
Abstract
Fieldwork was conducted in Asia to examine potentials for fodder-especially tree legume adoption among smallholder farmers with mixed crop and livestock systems. Analysis of traditional systems in Bali suggested that farmers were likely to grow trees for fodder if agriculture was intensive; cattle were penned and fed by cut-and-carry; agroforestry was an integral part of local systems; shade-intolerant annual crops were not relied upon as the major agricultural output; and trees were superior to other sources in providing fodder in the dry season. Work with farmers at sites in which forages are being introduced and tested suggested the above and other factors of importance in the adoption of trees and other forages. Farmers perceived legume tree fodders positively in terms of animal health and weight gain; but were less happy about competition with crops, the (perceived) need to mix tree fodder with other sources, insect pests, and slow regrowth. The adoption of new trees also competed with the adoption or use of new grasses, natural grasses (almost universally viewed as healthy mixtures), and crop residues. Farmers did not appear to consider the difficulty of tree establishment as a constraint to adoption.
Citation
FUJISAKA, S., RIKA, I.K., IBRAHIM, T. AND LE VAN AN. (1999). Forage tree adoption and use in Asia. At: International workshop held in Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao, Philippines. In: Working with farmers: the key to adoption of forage technologies. Stur, W.W., Horne, P.M., Hacker, J.B. and Kerridge, P.C. (Eds). 12-15 October 1999. ACIAR Proceedings no. 95. pp. 243-253. CAIT. Cali, Colombia. Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR). ISBN:0-642-45604-6.
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