Agro-forestry: A dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the Diploma in Farm Management at Lincoln University

Abstract

The information in the following document has be collated for the purpose of a dissertation for Farm Management 051. It has been gathered from many sources. The reason for this is primarily for the Farmer, small grower and people looking for a investment. The aim of this is to strike a interest in the reader and in tum will trigger further research interest for the farmer in the area of AGRO-FORESTRY and FIREWOOD PRODUCTION. This document only covers a small area in this field, and before considering further action more in depth information will be needed because many variants are being practised in agro-forestry and firewood producing. It has become clear that there are many different ways being practised in agro forestry. Very often the aims and practices differ from region to region and the concerns of the land owner or individual land manager. Some of the objective for interest in this area are: (i) an alternative source of income to the farmer, (ii) erosion control on farm land, (iii) shelter for animals and crops, (iv) combination of land use for the development of land not suitable for a single land use, (v) investment, Successful farm forestry requires a high level of management. With the correct management it has the potential to benefit existing pastoral use of hill country. Land is a rich resource limited in amount and quality, because of this it is clear that a high level of return should be obtained from the land with out destroying its fertile soils, forestry is one of these ways. Throughout the centuries, land has held a mystical values, yet mystical, without understanding, has never been sufficient, and throughout history, civilisations have degraded their land. Civilisations that lasted longest commonly had land resources more resistent to abuse or communities able to adapt their land use to changing environmental conditions.