Tree planting by small farmers in upland watersheds: experience in Central America
Eleven cases of reforestation in Central America are analyzed in order to identify factors that encourage small farmers to plant trees. Each case is briefly described, with particular emphasis on the effectiveness of the various incentive mechanisms in motivating small farmers. As a minimum, during the initial phase any program or project that tries to encourage small farmers in Central America to plant forest trees should consider including the following features. -Selection and demonstration of species and techniques that can be readily incorporated into and will enhance current agricultural practices, and that will therefore not compete for agricultural land. -Use of species that grow visible faster than those known to farmers, that provide multiple products (not just fuel), that are resistant to neglect and that are easy to propagate and transport. -Very personal, intensive extension service with frequent follow-up visits until the farmer has achieved confidence with his tree crop. Careful coordination of agricultural and forestry extension so as to ensure the essential integration of tree planting with agricultural practices. -Initiation at a modest scale, amenable to detailed monitoring with very intensive extension aimed at creating a few successful, highly visible demonstrations on the land of some of the more progressive (usually the larger) farmers. Avoidance of ambitious goals at the beginning and allowance of at least two years before any significant interest in plantations will be observed in a new community, once constraints have been removed. -Plants readily available, on time, either free or for sale. Other incentives kept at a minimum needed to sway already interested farmers. Incentives intended to be temporary, with the administrative flexibility to permit incentive amounts and procedures to evolve with experience
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | biblioteca |
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Washington, D.C., 1987
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| Subjects: | FINCAS PEQUEÑAS, CUENCAS, INCENTIVOS, AMERICA CENTRAL, |
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