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GTZ-ITFSP
P.O. Box 47051
Nairobi, Kenya
Tel:
+254 2 524658 or 524000
Fax: +254 2 524651 or 524001
E-mail:Meckert@cgiar.org
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Tree
crops
Tree
crops are crops from trees grown on farms, for purposes other than timber.
Harvesting timber is a one-time operation as it destroys the tree. Tree
crops, such as fruits, nuts, medicines, can be harvested season after
season. These crops have a direct monetary or nutritional value for the
farmer who grows them. Traditionally, farmers have long integrated tree
crops into their farming systems, growing them with annual crops in various
mixed cropping systems. The process depends on the types of annual crops
grown, what local farmers want in the way of development, and the status
of land tenure.
Why
encourage growing tree crops?
- They contribute
to food security.
- The reliability of their productivity helps reduce
production risks.
- They stabilize
agro-ecosystems.
- They help preserve
biodiversity.
- They supply raw
materials and energy.
- They provide
income.
- They help farmers
secure their land tenure or ownership.
What
hinders growing tree crops?
- Improved high-value
germplasm for fruit and nut trees is scarce.
- Up-to-date information
about suitable improved tree varieties is inadequate.
- Skills in improving
tree production and knowledge about managing tree crops is scarce.
- Present extension
work does not provide adequate skills training, only information.
- Not enough attention
has been paid to the potential tree crops have for providing smallholders
with a way to generate income and to produce food for the family.
- Cooperation and
coordination among all those working with tree crops is not well developed.
- Farmers have
limited access to markets and market information for their tree-crop
products.
- Research and
extension on tree crops as a farm enterprise has been limited
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