Qn 1a) What is the role of agroforestry trees in soil fertility improvement and

maintenance?

Agroforestry trees play several important roles in improving and maintaining soil fertility:

i. Nutrient Cycling: Agroforestry trees help in recycling nutrients by drawing them up

from deeper soil layers and bringing them to the surface through their root systems.
When the leaves of these trees fall and decompose, they release nutrients such as
nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium back into the soil, enriching it and improving its
fertility (Dollinger & Jose, 2018).
ii. Organic Matter Addition: The leaves, branches, and other organic material shed by
agroforestry trees contribute to the soil's organic matter content. Organic matter improves
soil structure, water retention capacity, and microbial activity. It also serves as a source
of nutrients as it decomposes, further enhancing soil fertility (Awazi & Tchamba, 2019).
iii. Soil Erosion Control: The extensive root systems of agroforestry trees help bind soil
particles together, reducing erosion caused by wind and water. By preventing soil
erosion, these trees help to retain nutrients and maintain soil fertility levels
(Rwakaningiri, 2014).
iv. Nitrogen Fixation: Some agroforestry tree species, such as leguminous trees, have
symbiotic relationships with nitrogen-fixing bacteria in their root nodules. These bacteria
convert atmospheric nitrogen into a form that plants can use, thus increasing soil nitrogen
levels and improving fertility (Nair, 2011).
v. Microbial Activity Promotion: Agroforestry trees create favourable microenvironments
in the soil through their root exudates and litter decomposition, which support beneficial
microbial communities. These microbes contribute to nutrient cycling, disease
suppression, and overall soil health, leading to enhanced fertility (Dagar, 2016).
vi. Shade and Moisture Regulation: The canopy of agroforestry trees provides shade,
which helps to moderate soil temperatures and reduce moisture loss through evaporation.
This creates a more conducive environment for soil organisms and plant growth,
ultimately improving soil fertility (Wato, & Amare, 2020).

Overall, agroforestry trees play a vital role in improving and maintaining soil fertility by
enhancing nutrient cycling, organic matter content, erosion control, nitrogen fixation, microbial
activity, and soil moisture regulation. Incorporating trees into agricultural landscapes through
agroforestry practices can contribute to sustainable and productive land management.

1 b) What factors hinder women participation in agroforestry?

Several factors can hinder women's participation in agroforestry:

i. Limited Access to Land: In many societies, women have less access to land ownership
or control compared to men. Without secure land rights, women may have limited
opportunities to engage in agroforestry activities, as they may lack the authority to make
decisions about land use and management (Kiptot & Franzel, 2012).
ii. Unequal Access to Resources: Women often have less access to resources such as
credit, seeds, tools, and training compared to men (Kiptot & Franzel, 2012). This limits
their ability to invest in agroforestry practices and impedes their participation in related
activities.
iii. Cultural and Societal Norms: Traditional gender roles and cultural norms may restrict
women's mobility, decision-making power, and participation in economic activities
outside the home (Kiptot & Franzel, 2012). As a result, women may face barriers to
engaging in agroforestry, which is often perceived as a male-dominated domain.
iv. Limited Technical Knowledge and Skills: Women may have limited access to
agricultural extension services, training programmes, and technical information about
agroforestry practices. This lack of knowledge and skills can hinder their ability to adopt
and benefit from agroforestry techniques effectively.
v. Time Constraints: Women often bear a disproportionate burden of household and
caregiving responsibilities, including cooking, cleaning, childcare, and fetching water and
firewood. These time-consuming tasks may leave them with less time and energy to
engage in agroforestry activities.
vi. Lack of Decision-making Power: Women may have limited decision-making power
within households and communities, particularly regarding agricultural activities and land
management (Kiptot & Franzel, 2012). Without the authority to make decisions about
agroforestry practices, women's participation may be restricted or undervalued.
vii. Inadequate Access to Markets and Value Chains: Women may face challenges
accessing markets to sell their agroforestry products or may receive lower prices for their
produce compared to men (Kiptot & Franzel, 2012). This economic marginalisation can
discourage women from investing time and resources in agroforestry ventures.

Addressing these barriers requires addressing underlying issues related to land rights, access to
resources and services, gender norms, education, and empowerment. Efforts to promote gender
equality and women's empowerment in agroforestry can enhance the resilience, productivity, and
sustainability of agricultural landscapes while promoting social inclusion and economic
development.

Qn. 2 How do livestock animals benefit from agroforestry practices on the farm?
Livestock animals can benefit from agroforestry practices on the farm in several ways:

Forage Production: Agroforestry systems often include trees and shrubs that provide valuable
forage for livestock. These trees can produce leaves, pods, fruits, or other edible parts that serve
as nutritious feed for grazing animals. Incorporating forage trees into grazing areas increases the
availability of feed resources, reducing the need for supplementary feeding and improving the
diet quality of livestock (Dagar, 2016).

Shade and Shelter: Trees planted in agroforestry systems provide shade and shelter for
livestock, offering protection from harsh weather conditions such as excessive heat, wind, and
precipitation. Shade trees help to moderate ambient temperatures, reducing heat stress in animals
during hot weather (Nair, 2011). Shelter belts or windbreaks consisting of trees and shrubs also
mitigate the impact of strong winds, creating a more comfortable environment for livestock.

Nutrient Cycling: Agroforestry systems contribute to nutrient cycling by incorporating trees,

shrubs, and other vegetation that accumulate organic matter and nutrients. Livestock can benefit
from improved soil fertility resulting from nutrient cycling processes, as it enhances the
nutritional content of forage plants consumed by animals.

Soil Conservation: Trees and shrubs planted in agroforestry systems help prevent soil erosion
by stabilising the soil structure and reducing surface runoff (Rwakaningiri, 2014). By minimising
soil erosion, agroforestry practices maintain the integrity of grazing lands and pasture areas,
ensuring the availability of suitable forage for livestock.
Diversification of Feed Resources: Agroforestry systems enhance feed resource diversity by
integrating a variety of tree species alongside traditional forage crops. This diversification
increases the resilience of livestock farming systems to environmental variability and
fluctuations in feed availability (Awazi & Tchamba, 2019). It also allows for the inclusion of
multipurpose trees that provide both forage and other valuable products such as fruits, nuts, or
timber.

Water Management: Trees planted in agroforestry systems contribute to water management by

reducing water runoff and enhancing water infiltration into the soil (Dollinger & Jose, 2018). By
improving soil water retention capacity, agroforestry practices help maintain adequate moisture
levels in grazing areas and pasturelands, ensuring continuous access to drinking water for
livestock.

Overall, agroforestry practices offer multiple benefits to livestock animals by providing forage
resources, shade and shelter, improving soil fertility and conservation, diversifying feed options,
and enhancing water management on the farm. Integrating trees into livestock farming systems
can contribute to the sustainability, productivity, and resilience of agricultural landscapes while
supporting the welfare and performance of livestock.
References

Awazi, N. P., & Tchamba, N. M. (2019). Enhancing agricultural sustainability and productivity
under changing climate conditions through improved agroforestry practices in smallholder
farming systems in sub-Saharan Africa. African Journal of Agricultural Research, 14(7), 379-
388.

Dagar, J. C. (2016). Agroforestry: Four decades of research development. Indian Journal of

Agroforestry, 18(2), 1-32.

Dollinger, J., & Jose, S. (2018). Agroforestry for soil health. Agroforestry systems, 92, 213-219.

Kiptot, E., & Franzel, S. (2012). Gender and agroforestry in Africa: a review of women’s
participation. Agroforestry systems, 84, 35-58.

Nair, P. R. (2011). Agroforestry systems and environmental quality: introduction. Journal of

environmental quality, 40(3), 784-790.

Rwakaningiri, F. (2014). The role of soil conservation practices in improving soil fertility.

Wato, T., & Amare, M. (2020). Opportunities and challenges of scaling up agroforestry practices
in Sub-Saharan Africa: a review. Agricultural Reviews, 41(3), 216-226.