Agriculture/forestry opportunities for the Agency for International Development

agroforestry strategy requires a shift from a narrow biological and land-oriented focus to an approach which stresses the problems of the farm or pastoral family and involves a broad range of agriculture and forestry activities. Based on a review of current A.I.D. agroforestry programs, this report offers recommendations for the design of such a strategy. Following a brief description of the large-scale deforestation and environmental degradation occurring in the developing world, the paper discusses the goals, purposes, and outputs characteristic of a successful agroforestry program. Next, the nature of Third World agriculture is examined; seven economies within the three major types of agriculture (intensive, mixed, and extensive) are described, with emphasis on their unique problems and the opportunities they offer for agroforestry research and technology development. Separate sections provide detailed recommendations for appropriate agroforestry program and project activities to be undertaken by the Bureau for Science and Technology and by the Regional Bureaus and Missions. Organizational issues that need to be addressed in developing an agroforestry strategy are also discussed. A 12-item bibliography (1980-84) and additional research suggestions are appended.