Dear Readers

Welcome to the 38th issue of One article features Salvadora You might also fi nd interesting APANews! This issue features oleoides, a small multipurpose an article that discusses how interesting articles on potential tree that produces desert grapes. agroforestry can help address the species that could be integrated in Aside from its fruits, the tree is also plight of farmers in India. The agroforestry systems and fi ndings tapped for oil, fodder and wood. author provides a refresher on of documentation on agroforestry Read more about the important the benefi ts of agroforestry and models in Viet Nam and India. uses of this species including its its capabilities to provide basic origin, distribution and how it needs, restore land productivity, One article presents the profi les of can be propagated and protected. reduce soil erosion and improve different agroforestry models that The article also discusses how soil fertility. Read more on how exist in northern and central Viet the species can be conserved ex the adoption of agroforestry can Nam, including the mangrove areas. situ and through gene banks and help improve the quality of life The article discusses agroforestry cryogenebanks. of farmers in India as they have models based on landscape, and improved the lives of others who available knowledge and policies The other article, meanwhile, have practiced its different systems. in implementing agroforestry. Find discusses Pongamia pinnata as out how the fi ndings of this study an alternative source of biofuel. As always, we feature interesting were used to identify the challenges Find out how Pongamia pinnata events, websites and information and gaps that would further can be tapped as a biofuel and resources that you might fi nd improve Viet Nam’s agroforestry consequently help augment the useful as you adopt and practice research and development in the global supply of petrofuel. agroforestry and its various support next fi ve years. Areas of focus are technologies. agroforestry approaches, land- Another article from Viet Nam use planning based on landscape discusses Agarwood (Aquilaria Thank you once again to all the and sociocultural economy, crassna), a popular source contributors. Let us continue agroforestry techniques, functions of wood chips, incense and sharing knowledge in agroforestry of agroforestry in environmental essential oils. The article discusses research, promotion and services, and policy development. agarwood’s morphology, ecology development, and education. As and distribution, propagation, we share knowledge, we also learn Two articles from India present transplanting techniques and from it, and more importantly use it species that could pose additional inoculation. Read more about the to improve lives. —The Editors income to farmers if successfully benefi ts of agarwood and how it integrated in agroforestry systems. can be integrated successfully in agroforestry farms.

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COVER. Pongamia pinnata is a nitrogen-fi xing tree tree that produces seeds containing 45 percent oil. The oil is tapped as a substitute for biodiesel (see story on page 14).

PRINTER. Thammada Press Co. Ltd., 86 Soi 50 /1 Charansanitwong Road, Bangplad, Bangkok 10700, Thailand.

2 Asia-Pacifi c Agroforestry Newsletter • No. 38 • July 2011 suckers. Seedlings also sprout under Promoting the use of Salvadora its shade. The species, however, is very slow growing. The branches are often lopped for camel and goat oleoides as a multipurpose fodder. agroforestry species Under favorable conditions, S. oleoides grows up to 6-9 m R. Raj Bhansali ([email protected]) high with a trunk of up to 2 m in diameter. The bark is light gray to gray. The leaves are fl eshy and Deserts occupy an estimated one- The topography of the Thar Desert have a pungent smell. The shape of seventh of India’s land surface. is distinctly marked with sand, the lamina is linear lanceolate, and Moisture is either absent or very scattered rocky ridges and steep leaf size ranges from 3-10 cm x 0.3- low. Deserts depend solely on the slopes. Topography and climatic 1.2 cm. New leaves usually appear balance between precipitation and factors play a signifi cant role in in April. evaporation. determining vegetation types. Most of the vegetation consists of The tree generally fl owers in Deserts have played a key role in stunted, thorny or prickly shrubs of March-April. The fl owers are human evolution and adaptation. Acacia senegal, Capparis decidua, sessile, greenish white in color The Thar Desert, one of the largest Calotropis procera, Calligonum and clustered. Infl orescence is deserts in India, occupies about polygonoides, Prosopis cineraria, paniculate spike. 60 percent of Rajasthan state. Most Salvadora oleoides, and S. persica areas in the Thar Desert consist of (Gupta and Prakash 1975). The fruits are drupe, clustered, dry undulating plains of hardened and grow up to 0.40-0.45 cm sand, while the rest of the area Salvadora oleoides, popularly in diameter. They are yellow or largely comprises rolling plains of known as pilu, is a small, greenish yellow when ripe, and are loose sand that form shifting sand multipurpose agroforestry tree sweet with a bit of pungent taste. dunes which are 2–10 km long and commonly grown in western In some cases, the fruits are pink 20–30 m high. Rajasthan and Gujarat states of and violet (Figure 2). The fruits can India (Kaul 1963). S. oleoides is also be harvested in June. The Thar Desert is one of the called jhal, bahapilu and khakan. Distribution most heavily populated (in The tree is primarily sourced for its terms of both people and cattle) fruits known as desert grapes. The S. oleoides is commonly found in deserts in the world. The animal seeds are also sources of oil used in tropical Africa and Asia, extending and human populations exert the manufacture of soaps. to Egypt, the Mascarene Islands and tremendous pressure on the scant China. The indigenous tree grows vegetation in the region. Plants Species profi le on dry, saline and desert areas are thus vulnerable to becoming Salvadora oleoides is a small of Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab, endangered. Inherent biological evergreen tree with a short, twisted Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh. problems associated with these trunk and drooping branches that S. oleoides, as well as S. persica, plants make their survival diffi cult, provide a thick shade (Figure 1). grows well in the sand dunes of resulting in forced adaptation to the A dense, almost impenetrable deserts to heavy soils, non-saline to desert’s harsh environment. growth is often formed by a parent highly saline soils and dry regions stem surrounded by a ring of root Continued on page 4

Fig. 1 Salvadora oleoides tree with its drooping branches. Fig.F 2 The fruits of S. oleoides vary from yyellow, greenish yellow, pink and violet.

Agroforestry Research 3 Promoting the use... S. oleoides and Capparis decidua toothache. The fruits are used as Continued from 3 form the major arboreal part a cure for enlarged spleens, fever of the fl ora in these areas. The and rheumatism. The seeds are also to marshy and waterlogged areas tree species is also suitable for used to cure rheumatic pain, as (Figure 3). shelterbelts and windbreaks in arid suppositories and an ointment base. zones, and used to reduce soil The leaves, meanwhile, are used to The species adapts well to arid erosion. It survives at an altitude of relieve coughs, and given to horses conditions and is salt-tolerant and 1 000 m (Khan 1955; Kaul 1963; as a purgative. The leaves are also drought-resistant. It is distributed Khan 1994). The plant tolerates good sand binders. to some extent in Andhra Pradesh, temperatures between 3 to 48°C. Propagation Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. It S. oleoides can be found growing is also found in the Sunderban in groups of up to 50-500 trees S. oleoides can be regenerated by mangroves of West Bengal and in in its natural population, and can seeds, coppices and root suckers. the regions of Chilka lagoons. The age up to 150 years old. Natural However, very little information tree species is known to tolerate a populations of S. oleoides can be is available regarding seed very dry environment with mean found in northwest India. germination. Natural regeneration rainfall of less than 200 mm in of plants from seeds is rare, Barmer, Jalore, Jodhpur, and Pali Uses probably because seeds mature at districts of Rajasthan (Figure 4) S. oleoides is known for its fruits or the onset of the monsoon season. (Bhandari 1990). the popular desert grapes. The pulp Seeds are therefore susceptible of desert grapes contains glucose, to fungal attack (Mertia and fructose and sucrose with Total Kunhamu 2003). Soluble Solid (TSS) as high as 20- 25OB. It is rich in calcium. The seeds of S. oleoides are not stored because viability TThe tree is often lopped for fodder is not retained. It is therefore tot increase milk production in recommended that fruits camels. The seed cake is also used are immediately depulped as livestock fodder and contains (Hockings 1993). Depulping the 12 percent protein. Sheep and goats fruits and pre-treating the seeds often graze the tree. Aside from promote early germination. fodder, the tree is also sourced for Freshly harvested seeds with 26 fuel, timber and medicinal values. percent moisture content showed 90 percent germination. Viability of Seeds are greenish-yellow and seeds is reduced by 50 percent 15 measure 3 mm in diameter. They days after harvest, and 100 percent Fig.3Fi 3 SSalvadoral d oleoidesl id ttrees are grown contain 40-50 percent of a yellow after 24 days of storage. Excised on sandy saline soils in the arid zone of greenish oil with 47 percent lauric embryonic axes from the stored Rajasthan, India. and myristic acids. The oil is used seeds showed better viability as to make soaps, candles, and other compared to whole seeds. This commercial or industrial products. indicates the presence of some The acids are used to produce inhibitory substances in the lauryl alcohol (Chatterjee and cotyledons which cause the lower Pakrashi 1995). viability of seeds.

TheT wood of S. oleoides is light Conservation red or yellow and weighs about Research. The gradual decline of 608-865 kg/m³. The wood is S. oleoides trees from their natural moderately hard, with small, population requires immediate irregular and purple heartwood. It is attention. Conservation of superior used for construction and building germplasm of S. oleoides is critical, Persian wheels and boats, and as including research on the tree’s agricultural implements. The wood basic ecological adaptations, is used as fuel when mixed with vulnerability to pests and diseases deodorant and pine scrap wood. and status of distribution. This information will help manage S.S oleoides seed oil showed suitable genotypes and improve the Fig. 4. Distribution of S. oleoides (SO) 100 percent toxicity to Anopheles genes used in plantation forests and and S. persica (SP) in the arid areas of stephensi at 0.01 percent. The agroforestry systems. Rajasthan, India. root bark is used as a vesicant for

4 Asia-Pacifi c Agroforestry Newsletter • No. 38 • July 2011 The National Bureau of Plant were found to be the best for bud Genetic Resources in New Delhi breaking. The maximum number collected germplasm of S. oleoides of shoots (5 shoots per explant) can from 25-30 natural populations in be differentiated on MS + 0.1 mg/l the 12 districts of Gujarat, Rajasthan NAA + 2.5 mg/l BAP or 2 iP or and Haryana states. The collected kinetin + additives, within 15-25 germplasm was used to vary the days (Figure 5). genes, and study growth pattern and physical parameters. A total of In vitro raised shoots root using 23 accessions of S. oleoides and pulse treatment of 100 mg/1 12 accessions of S. persica were of IBA in half strength and MS cryostored at the bureau. Efforts liquid medium for 24 hours in were also made by the Central Arid the dark. The IBA pulsed shoots Zone Research Institute in Jodhpur root on incubation at an elevated to select, conserve and protect S. temperature of 33±2°C for seven Fig. 5 Tissue culture is used to oleoides from pests and diseases. days in the dark on semi-solid, regenerate S. oleoides. hormone-free half strength MS agar Despite the importance of S. medium containing 0.5 percent oleoides trees, a lot of work is still activated charcoal. Initial needed to promote its sustainable incubation in the dark at 33±2°C use. Due to lack of conservation favored rooting. initiatives, good quality trees from natural populations are gradually Shooting/rooting rates of up to declining. Forced acclimatization 4-5-fold and 60-70 percent rooting to extreme climatic conditions will percentage can be achieved. Plants lead to an irreversible loss of plant were hardened in the greenhouse genetic resources resulting also in and then transplanted to pots and environmental and socioeconomic subsequently in the fi eld at various losses. sites in Rajasthan. It was noted that Fig. 6 The conservation of plant low micropropagation and lower germplasm, through seed collection, is Most of the studies on Salvadora rooting rates were experienced the most convenient and reliable method species focus on the chemical in clonal propagation (Singh and being practiced in gene banks. composition of seed oil and juice Goyal 2007). and its nutritional and medicinal attributes. To maintain genetic In situ and ex situ methods. Cryo gene bank. Conservation fi delity through generations, the Conservation of S. oleoides can of S. oleoides is also undertaken selected genotypes have to be also be done through in situ and through the cryo gene bank at the clonally propagated. Tissue culture ex situ conservation methods. National Bureau of Plant Genetic is used to propagate S. oleoides In situ conservation uses a gene Resources. The conservation of from 20- to 30-year-old mature bank. A gene bank is a live plant germplasm, through seed trees. collection of plant species and collection, is the most convenient ecotypes. Ex situ conservation of S. and reliable method being practiced In vitro multiplication. The in vitro oleoides, meanwhile, is important in gene banks (Figure 6). Since multiplication of Salvadora, using to safeguard genetic wealth and S. oleoides seeds lose viability various explants, like axillary buds promote the use germplasm to during storage, further research and shoot tips, has been tried. An develop desirable cultivars or is necessary to study basic seed average of 5-10 shoots per explant varieties. Field gene banks are often physiology, longevity and seed was developed and transplanted used to conserve S. oleoides. storage behavior. Ongoing research after rooting and hardening (Raj focuses on the conservation and Direct seeding. S. oleoides is also Bhansali 1999; Batra et al. 2001; protection of the species from pests, capable of regeneration through Mathur et al. 2002a&b). To protection of native fl ora, and other direct seeding and transplanting achieve this, trees are pruned/ areas with economic implications. lopped during December-January of nursery-raised seedlings in the or June-July. Fresh sprouts are used fi eld. There is therefore a need Protection as a source of explants. The nodal to enhance the incorporation of According to local people, S. shoot explants of mature trees S. oleoides in afforestation and oleoides trees have undergone are used for regeneration through vegetative restoration of the Thar profuse fl owering but negligible axillary bud proliferation. Among Desert. fruit setting in the last 10-12 the various growth regulators, the combinations of NAA and BAP Continued on page 6

Agroforestry Research 5 Promoting the use... (Figure 8). The young trees are Conclusion also attacked by C. tubulosa, a Continued from 5 Minimal efforts are being done on plant parasite, on subsurface roots the characterization, evaluation years. The reasons cited by the during high moisture conditions. and conservation of Salvadora local people were changing This parasite is unable to directly germplasm. Moreover, there is environmental conditions which synthesize chlorophyll and a need for further research on caused severe incidences of pests therefore has no green coloration. the possibilities of the fruits of and diseases. During the rainy It is a widely distributed annual that Salvadora to be transformed into season in the arid zones, S. oleoides produces a dense pyramid spike other products. trees were severely attacked by of bright yellow fl owers topped insect-borne phytoplasma disease, by maroon-tinted buds (Figure 9). Domestication helps to ensure that which caused the Witches’ broom The parasite produces many tiny a species is conserved and used disease in the tree’s infl orescence seeds which may remain dormant commercially in a sustainable (Raj Bhansali 2010). The affected for years until the roots of its host manner. Biodiversity conservation trees produced very poor fruits as plant are close enough to trigger of Salvadora species should employ the fl ower buds were transformed germination. in situ and ex situ conservation into vegetative parts (Figure 7). methods both in the natural habitat Rarely fruiting bodies of The leaf hopper was also found to and gene banks, respectively. In basidiomycetes cause trunk rot be a cause of the Witches’ broom situ conservation promotes the in age-old trees. This is evident disease. growth of plant species in their in trees grown in saline-affected natural habitats where evolutionary Further, S. oleoides that grow on rangelands. A number of fungi, processes continue to operate, river terraces are usually attacked such as Cercospora udaipurensis, making it a dynamic system. The by Cistanche tubulosa, an obligate Placosoma salvadorae and majority of the underutilized phanerogamic root parasite Sephogloeum salvadorae, also fruits grow in diverse climatic and damage the leaves. edaphic conditions and are adapted to arid and semi-arid conditions. In The defoliating larvae of several situ conservation is important for beetles attack the tree, and S. oleoides which are still growing leaves are often attacked by the in the natural habitats or in semi- lepidopteran pest (Colotis ephiae). domesticated conditions.• The mite Eriophyes causes leaf gall, leaf hopper and Microtermes The author is Principal Scientist at the mycophagus infest old natural Division of Plant Improvement, Propagation and Protection, Central Arid Zone Research plantations of S. oleoides (Figure Institute, Jodhpur-342 003, Rajasthan, India. 10).

Fig.Fi 7 The Th WitWitches’h ’ bdibroom disease transforms fl ower buds of S. oleoides into vegetative parts.

Fig. 8 and 9 Evidences of attack of phanerogamic root parasite (Cistanche tubulosa) on S. oleoides.

Fig. 100 Insects cause theh Witches’h ’ bbroom disease in S. oleoides.

6 Asia-Pacifi c Agroforestry Newsletter • No. 38 • July 2011 References: (1) Batra, A., Mathur, S. and Shekhawat, G. S. 2001. Clonal propagation of Salvadora persica L: an important medicinal State of agroforestry research plant of arid zone. Journal of Plant Biology, 28: 277-281; (2) Bhandari, M. M. 1990. Flora of the Indian desert, MPS Repros. Johpur, India; and development in Viet Nam (3) Chatterjee, A. and Pakrashi, S. C. 1995. The Bao Huy ([email protected]) and Vo Hung ([email protected]) treatise on Indian medicinal plants, Publication and Information Directorate, New Delhi, 1: 95-101; (4) Gupta R. K. and Ishwar Prakash (1975) Environmental analysis of the Thar Evaluating agroforestry research established at the foothills, near Desert, Dehradun; (5) Hocking, D. 1993. Trees and development in Viet Nam is valleys and roads. for Drylands, Oxford & IBH Publishing Co. a diffi cult undertaking. The results Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi, pp. 370; (6) Kaul R. N. of agroforestry studies in the 20th The soil in the mid-central areas 1963. Need for afforestation in the arid zones of often experience erosion resulting India, LA-YAARAN, 13; (7) Khan, A. U. 1994. century are mainly grey literature History of decline and present status of natural comprising scientifi c reports, theses in thin topsoils and low soil fertility. tropical thorn forest in Punjab. Biological and conference reports. Very few Only sparse vegetation can be Conservation. 67: 205-210; (8) Khan, M. 1955. studies have been published. found in these areas. Because of Tropical thorn forest of West Pakistan. Pakistan the situation, farmers established Journal of Forestry. 5: 161-171; (9) Mabberley, garden-based agroforestry D. J. 2008. Mabberley’s Plant-book, a portable Further, there is a lack of dictionary of plants, their classifi cations and documentation on the diversity and with livestock-raising and fi sh uses. 3rd Edition, University Press, Cambridge; improvements made to the practice production. (10) Makwana, M. T., Patolia, J. S and Iyengar of agroforestry in the country, E. R. R. 1988. Salvadora plant species suitable limited research and systematic Areas in the central highlands are for saline coastal wasteland. Transactions of 400-900 m asl. The soil is fertile. Indian Society of Desert Technology. 2: 121- reviews on the effectiveness of 131; (11) Mathur, S., Shekhawat, G. S. and different agroforestry models, These areas also experience Batra, A. 2002a. An effi cient In vitro method and very little information on shortages of water supply. for mass propagation of Salvadora persica via the sustainable use of water and apical meristem. Journal of Plant Biochemistry land resources in the different Most forests in these areas were and Biotechnology 11: 125-127; (12) Mathur, agroforestry systems. This study initially cleared to establish S., Shekhawat, G. S. and Batra, A. 2002b. industrial tree plantations. Micropropagation of Salvadora persica Linn. tried to summarize existing research via cotyledonary nodes. Indian Journal of on agroforestry and consolidate the Nowadays, farmers intercrop Biotechnology 1: 197-200; (13) Mertia, R. S. practical experiences of farmers industrial trees with agricultural and Kunhamu, T. K. 2000. Seed germination as a basis for further research and crops. trial on Salvadora oleoides (Decne). Journal of development initiatives. Tropical Forestry, 16: 50-52; (14) Raj Bhansali, The Cuu long delta, meanwhile, R. 1999. In vitro multiplication of phytoplasma- Agroforestry models infected plants of arid zone, In: Management has high soil fertility because of of Arid Ecosystem, A. S. Faroda, N. L. Joshi, Khoa et al. (2006) reviewed and the Mekong River, and is therefore S. Kathju and Aaml Kar, Arid Zone Research classifi ed different agroforestry suitable for establishing fruit Association of India and Scientifi c Publishers, models in Viet Nam according to orchards. Farmers in these areas Jodhpur, pp. 391-395;(15) Raj Bhansali, R. intercrop fruit trees with agricultural 2010. Witches’ broom disease reduces quantity location. and quality seeds in Salvadora oleoides, CAZRI crops. News No. 2, 2-3; (16) Singh, R. and Goyal, In the mountains of northern S. C. 2007. Microporpagation of Salvadora Viet Nam, farmers were found to Agroforestry is also practiced in the oleoides decne from nodal explants from mature practice: (i) forest + farm or pasture coastal mangroves of Viet Nam. tree. J. Plant Biol., 34:1-5; (17) USDA, ARS, + rice terraces + vegetable garden; These areas are submerged lands National Genetic Resources Program; (18) and wetlands with tidal salt water. Germplasm Resources Information Network and (ii) forest + farm + garden - (GRIN) [Online Database]; (19) National + rice terraces. These areas are The area also experiences fl ooding Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville, prone to erosion, resulting in thin of fresh water during the rainy Maryland. URL: http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi- soil layers. The soil is acidic with season. bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?32818 (30 June 2011). moderate to high humus content. Farmers practice rotational cropping Farmers in these areas primarily of cereals and legumes. practice: (i) mangrove + shrimp, crab or fi sh culture; (ii) agriculture In the hilly areas of Viet Nam’s (wetland rice) + forestry (Indigo northern midland and central forest) + fi shery + apiary + provinces, farmers established VAC (V: Garden, A: Fishpond, C: 1-2 ha of forests in the steep slopes. Pigpen); and (iii) vegetable garden Farms of upland rice are found + fi sh pond + fi sh breeding in along the hillside areas which the residential land. Farmers have comprise 0.5-1 ha. Meanwhile, adopted these systems according 0.2-0.3 ha of gardens have been Continued on page 8

Agroforestry Research 7 State of agroforestry... years, research on agroforestry the capabilities of agroforestry for Continued from page 7 landscapes were considered carbon sequestration, such as the in evaluating the relationships rapid assessment of the ability to to the aquatic species to be used, between natural and socioeconomic accumulate carbon in agroforestry, water temperature, water type (salt factors which are the basis of in the buffer zones of Tam Dao and fresh water), water turbidity, arrangements of the agroforestry National Park, Vinh Phuc province. and alum chemical processes. landscapes. A recent study by Bao Huy et al. Improvements (2009) estimated the absorption of in agroforestry research In 2008, with the support of the CO2 in by litsea (Litsea glutinosa) Viet Nam Network on Agroforestry in an agroforestry model of litsea Over the years, diagnostic Education, investigation, research + cassava in Mang Yang district, tools have been developed to and documentation on three Gia Lai province. Results showed classify agroforestry models model agroforestry landscapes that the total economic value of using participatory technology in three ecological zones were cassava and litsea in fi ve years is development (Bao Huy et conducted. They were: (i) 2 024 USD (42.5 million VND) al. 2003). Analyses on the impact agroforestry landscape of forest-tea- per hectare, and CO2 absorption of environmental policies on rice-crops-livestock in Xuan Phuc, is 24.7 tons per hectare valued at the development of agroforestry Thai Nguyen City, Thai Nguyen USD424 (VND8.9 million). Further in the country; the practice of province; (ii) agroforestry landscape research along this area is needed agroforestry on land use, landscape of coffee crops-cashew-fruit trees- to provide critical information on and socioeconomic environment; crops-livestock in Cu Pui, Krong the contribution of agroforestry in and adoption of agroforestry are Bong district, Dak Lak province; mitigating climate change. also being done. Recent research and (iii) agroforestry landscape of are now combining new methods, forest gardens-perennial crops-fruit In the next fi ve years, further particularly in the areas of soil trees Tanh Linh, Tanh Linh district, research on agroforestry science, plant physiology, ecology, Binh Thuan province. development is needed, particularly systems science and modeling, in the areas of approaches and Agroforestry research quantitative analysis, etc. methods, agroforestry planning Agroforestry models Focus. In the next two to three based on ecological landscape and based on landscape years, research in agroforestry policy development, sustainable will focus more on the impacts management of upland resources, Research on the concepts and of climate change and the role technical issues, indigenous crops, approaches of agroforestry models of agroforestry systems in carbon role of agroforestry in payment based on landscape is relatively dioxide absorption. At present, for environmental services, new in Viet Nam. In the last fi ve studies have been conducted on improvements in production,

Figure. Objectives of agroforestry research and development in the next fi ve years.

8 Asia-Pacifi c Agroforestry Newsletter • No. 38 • July 2011 economic effi ciency and Table. Research gaps and needs in agroforestry research and development development of markets for the in Viet Nam. products of different agroforestry Expected research results Available knowledge Research gaps and needs models (Figure). and policies Gaps. The table summarizes the Complete methodology and Participatory technical Methodologies on the research gaps and needs based on approach in agroforestry development technical, economic, research and development social, humanitarian and literature reviews. environmental approaches Conclusions and Established approach and Documentation of Methodologies to improve recommendations methodologies to improve indigenous knowledge on shifting cultivation based on The study documented some the practice of shifting shifting cultivation local ecological knowledge different agroforestry models cultivation existing in Viet Nam. Techniques in Development of policies on trees species selection, arrangement fallow land management of different agroforestry components Developed markets for Evaluation of market Evaluation methods to assess and nursery establishment were agroforestry products chains in remote areas agroforestry markets found being taught in secondary Methods to develop schools and universities. The sustainable markets for focus of research has also changed agroforestry products to highlight practice rather than concept. In addition, recent Established scientific basis Development of agroforestry Establishing scientific basis for research fi ndings have affi rmed in support of agroforestry landscapes land-use planning based on agroforestry’s role in economic planning based on landscape the landscape approach development, soil and water Participatory land-use Complete participatory conservation and protection, planning methodology on forest land biodiversity conservation and allocation carbon dioxide absorption. Development of policies/laws However, the study also listed on sloping land management several gaps and limitations towards agroforestry in agroforestry research and development under the areas Complete agroforestry Techniques for designing Methods and structure for the of approaches, land-use systems based on space and timing of crops design of agroforestry systems socioeconomic and and forest trees in some based on economic and planning based on landscape environmental factors ecological zones environmental factors and sociocultural economy, agroforestry techniques, functions Integration of indigenous List of forest trees and Updated list of forest trees of agroforestry in environmental forest trees and non- non-timber species in some and non-timber forest species services, and policy development. timber forest species ecological zones that could be integrated in These include the missing link of in agroforestry systems agroforestry systems recent research and development according to different initiatives to sustainable land-use ecological and human Cultivation techniques Cultivation techniques of culture zones of some forest trees and timber and non-timber planning, insuffi cient information non-timber species in some that have potential to be on marketing models, lack of ecological zones integrated in agroforestry documentation on indigenous systems knowledge, and lack of further Environment functions of Initial research on CO2 Extent of water conservation research on the systematic agroforestry systems, such as sequestration of agroforestry and protection of agroforestry domestication of forest trees, soil and water conservation systems systems production of non-timber forest and protection, and CO2 products, and crop diversifi cation. sequestration Extent of soil conservation Other areas that need to be and protection of agroforestry studied are the contribution of systems agroforestry systems to climate Extent of estimated CO2 change, conversion of areas under sequestration of agroforestry shifting cultivation to agroforestry, systems and contribution to livelihood improvement, sociocultural Policy development payment development and sustainable for environment services of agroforestry systems Continued on page 10

Agroforestry Research 9 State of agroforestry... Continued from page 9 Promoting agarwood-based natural resource management in the context of climate change. agroforestry systems in north The study therefore recommends central provinces of Viet Nam long-term research on this topic, incorporating the knowledge Quang Hoang Ha ([email protected]) and experiences of experts and and Huu Tran Nghi ([email protected]) practitioners, and identifi cation of further research topics in coordination with the state, Agarwood (Aquilaria crassna) is infected with mold, the tree ministry, and provincial levels of considered one of the ecologically produces a dark aromatic resin government.• and economically valued timber which results in a very dense trees in Viet Nam. It is popularly and dark heartwood. The resin- Dr. Bao Huy is Deputy Dean of Faculty of known as cay tram huong or do embedded wood is commonly Agriculture and Forestry, Department of Forest Resources and Environment Management bau in Vietnamese. Agarwood is called gaharu, aloeswood, (FREM), Tay Nguyen University, No. 567, naturally distributed in the central agarwood or oud and is valued in Le Duan Street, Buonmathuot city, Daklak highlands, north central and the many cultures for its distinctive province, Viet Nam. Dr. Vo Hung is Lecturer southeastern areas. It is widely fragrance. The resin-embedded at the Department of Silviculture in the same grown in the north central area, wood is also used as raw material university. particularly from Ha Tinh to Thua for incense and perfumes. It is References: (1) Hoang, H.D.T., Da, T.B., Thien Hue provinces. It is known for this reason that aquilaria trees Doanh, L.Q. and Thang, N.L 2008: Landscape to provide many valuable products have been listed as a potentially Agroforestry model of maize cultivation in such as wood chips, incense and threatened tree species since 1990. Son La province. VNAFE / SEANAFE); (2) essential oil. Agarwood oil is used Hoang Fagerstrom, M.H., La, N., James, M. Plant ecology and distribution R., Constantinus, J.M., Dang, T., Toan, T.D., as raw material for perfume and as Phuong, N.D. and Anh, L.X. 2005. Agroforestry traditional medicines. Agarwood Agarwood is naturally distributed in systems with bamboo as the main crop has to is sold for USD 20 000-30 000 per semi-deciduous to evergreen forests be a method of sustainable land use in upland kilogram. at altitudes of 50-1 200 m asl on areas of Hoa Binh province: An example of a large range of light- to medium- market access based on indigenous knowledge Morphology textured soils of feralite, schist, systems; (3) Hung, V. 2001. Some management experience of fallow land of M’Nong people in Agarwood is a medium-sized tree granite and basalt. It also survives Dak Lak”, Journal of Agroforestry Today, 2001 of 15-20 m high or more. The in well-drained soils with thick (4): 26-29; (4) Hung, V. 2003. Development of trunk diameter is 40-60 cm to A-B layers, 0.6-1 m deep or more, participatory techniques in Dak Lak: Successes 1 m dbh. The bark is tough and 5-20 degrees of slope, with a yearly and Challenges”, Journal of Social Forestry, fi brous, while the leaves are simple, average temperature of 20-280C and 2003 (6): 28-29; (5) Huy, B. 2009. Estimation alternate, oblong and 3-5 cm wide annual rainfall of 1 500-2 500 mm. of the CO2 absorption capacity of red Litsea (Litsea glutinosa) in the agroforestry model of and 6-15 cm long. The leaves are red Litsea - cassava in Mang Yang district, Gia green at the top and pale yellow Agarwood has been widely grown Lai Province, Central Highlands, Viet Nam. underneath. in the forests and agroforestry farms SEANAFE / ICRAF; (6) H uy, B., Cai, H.H., of the north central provinces of Hung, V. 2003. Handbook on Participatory technology development, Agriculture Publishing The fl owers are racemose, Quang Binh, Quang Tri and Thua House, Hanoi; (7) Khoa, N.V., Ha, T.N., Hong, umbelliform, and bisexual. The Thien Hue since the 1990s. It is N.H., Me, V.V. 2006. Agroforestry production calyx are tubular. Petals are absent primarily grown to reduce soil in Viet Nam. Social forestry support program in the fl owers. There are two erosion. and partners. Ministry of Agriculture and Rural stamens in two whorls. The ovary Development; (8) Loan, L.T., Phuong, D.H., Propagation Hung, V. 2007. Channels of cashew market in is scale-like, annular or cup-shaped. Dak Nong and Binh Phuoc. Network VNAFE / The fruits are loculicidal capsule, Seedlings are prepared in nurseries SEANAFE; (9) Thuong, N.V., Ha, P.V., Hong, mostly indehiscent. The seeds exist for 3-5 months. The sizes of plastic T.X., and Thuy, H.T.T. 2002. The method of with or without the endosperm. bags are 10-12 cm wide and 15- agroforestry in Dak Lak: Economic effi ciency 18 cm high. The medium comprises and ecological impact. Tay Nguyen Agricultural Agarwood has dark resinous 87-90 percent soil, 8-10 percent and Forestry Institute; (10) VNAFE 2008: The agroforestry models in different ecological heartwood that forms in Aquilaria organic manure, and 1-2 percent zones of Viet Nam; (11) Vien, T.D. 2001. trees, which are large evergreen nitrogen-phosphorous-potassium Conference Documentation: Experience trees that are native to southeast fertilizers. managing fallow land after shifting cultivation Asia and Viet Nam. The heartwood in Viet Nam, Agricultural Publishing House, of agarwood is relatively light and Hanoi. pale. However, once it becomes

10 Asia-Pacifi c Agroforestry Newsletter • No. 38 • July 2011 The propagation of agarwood is at 5-m apart. Weeding is done 3-5 The oil is dusted on clothes and done by collecting seeds from times a year, especially while the skin as protection against fl eas and dried fruits. About 10-15 kg of fruits trees are small. Weeds should be lice. It is also used as fumigators, could yield 1 kg (4 854) of seeds. cleared within 1.2-1.5 m diameter such as pastilles and agarbatis. The The initial moisture content of seeds around the tree. bark is a source of writing material, is 51 percent and the germination sachpat, which is immune to insect Inoculation rate is 80 percent. attack, and used to write religious Essential oils are tapped by skilled scriptures Upon reaching 25-30 percent workers from fi ve- to seven-year-old moisture content, the seeds are then agarwood. They drill holes in the The price of fragrant agarwood is stored in moist sand and kept in bark and put powder of agarwood about USD 10-15 per kilogram. The a cool place for two months. The in the holes to attract insects and price of perfume oil ranges from seeds are then soaked overnight in fungi. Once the heartwood is USD20 000 to USD30 000 or more water prior to sowing. Germination infected with mold, oils are then per kilogram. is within 8-25 days. secreted and extracted. Environmental signifi cance Transplanting Recent research results show With a planting density of 400- The soil should be prepared prior to that the formation of agarwood 525 trees per hectare, agarwood is the onset of the rainy season, which occurs in the trunk and roots of considered as an evergreen canopy is in August-September. The hole Aquilaria trees that were infected which covers 60-70 percent of should measure 40 cm x 40 cm, by a parasitic ascomycetous mold the soil’s surface, especially in and 35-cm deep. (Phaeoacremonium parasitica), one areas that have undergone shifting of the dematiaceous (dark-walled) cultivation. Agarwood is planted along the fungi. contour lines in forest gardens or Agroforestry production models along rows in home gardens or Economic importance Agarwood is intercropped with boundaries of agricultural farms. According to international and cassava, sweet potato and oil Organic fertilizer of 3-5 kg or more domestic traders, agarwood palm in agroforestry systems. The per hole is applied, followed by provides high quality paper pulp, intercropping of agarwood and 0.1-0.2 nitrogen-phosphorous- incense wood, perfume oil and cassava or sweet potato is usually potassium fertilizer per hole 10-15 medicinal materials. seen in the hilly regions of north days before transplanting. central Viet Nam. About 510-525 Depending upon the extent of resin trees are planted at a spacing of 6 m Agarwood can be grown in a accumulation, the heartwood is x 3 m. Cassava is grown between spacing of 6 m x 3 m or 510- generally classifi ed into Grade A two rows of agarwood, similar to 525 trees per hectare. It can be or black and true agar, Grade B that of the alley cropping system. intercropped with cassava. As or bantang, Grade C or bhuta or Meanwhile, about 1 000 trees of windbreaks in agroforestry systems, phuta, and Grade D or dhum. agarwood per hectare are planted agarwood is planted at a lower in the open spaces of 300-500 oil density of 100-200 trees per hectare In black agar, the impregnation of palm trees. resin is intense, such that the wood resembles black stone. It is heavy Agarwood can also be intercropped and sinks in water. It also bears the with acacia, upland rice and highest resin content but is diffi cult pineapple. Two rows of agarwood to distill. True agar, meanwhile, is are established per 6-8 rows of mainly exported to the Middle East acacia. This is equivalent to 200- to be used as incense. Bantang is 300 agarwood trees and 1 200- brown in color without any black 1 400 Acacia trees per hectare. tone. Bhuta is also brown in color Around 200-300 agarwood trees but interspersed with 50 percent can be grown along the boundaries or more of yellow-colored wood. of farms planted with upland rice. These two grades are also usually About 100-200 agarwood trees, used in incense. Dhum is the meanwhile, can be intercropped lowest grade. The wood is mostly with 5 000-10 000 or more of yellow with scattered streaks of pineapple per hectare. Some brown or black resin. It is chiefl y farms in Viet Nam also integrate Fig. 1 Agarwood (Aquilaria crassna) is distilled for oil. Sometimes the oil agarwood and fruit trees in their known to provide many valuable products is also extracted from bhuta, which home and forest gardens. such as wood chips, incense and essential is found to be superior to the oil oil. extracted from dhum. Continued on page 12

Agroforestry Promotion and Development 11 Promoting agarwood-based... Recommendations Agarwood, the Life of A Wounded Tree, IIAS Newsletter No. 45, PP. 24-25, Institute of Continued from page 11 Agarwood is one of the ecologically Environmental Sciences, Leiden University, the The recommended planting density and economically valued timber Netherlands; (3) Ha, H. Q. and Hop, T. 1997. trees that could be best grown in 100 Native Timber Tree Species in Viet Nam, of agarwood in agroforestry farms Agricultural Publisher, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet is 100 to more than 500 seedlings home and forest gardens. It can be Nam; (4) Ha, H. Q., 2007. Growing Agarwood per hectare. Agarwood is also best intercropped with a combination and Its Products, Quarterly Publication of planted in 0.2-0.5 ha of home or of agricultural crops and fruit Quang Tri Provincial Union of Science and forest gardens that are established trees such as upland rice, cassava, Technology Associations, Quang Tri Province, beans, sweet potato, yam, banana, Viet Nam; (5) Ho, P., H., 1999. Viet Nam’s in hilly areas. Vegetations, An Illustrated Flora of Viet pineapple, jackfruit and many Nam, Volume I, Volume II, Volume III, Yourth more. Aside from its essential oils, Publisher, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam; (6) agarwood is also grown to provide Loi, D. T. 1986. Viet Nam’s Medicinal Herbs shade. and Tastes, Technical Science Publisher, Ha Noi, Viet Nam; (7) MARD, 2000. Planting Agarwood in agroforestry systems Techniques for Agarwood, National Agro- forestry Extension Centre, Ha Noi, Viet Nam; should be promoted to fully harness (8) MARD, 2007. The Second International the potentials of the tree species. Agarwood Conference, Bangkok, Thailand; At the same time, oil processing (9) Nasima, Akter, et al., 2008. Agarwood technologies should also be Plantation at BRAC Tea Estate, Introduction, promoted as a livelihood program Environmental Factors and Financial Analysis, BRAC Center, Dhaka, Bangladesh; (10) Peter, for farmers and rural communities H. Calkins, Dennis D. DiPietre, 1983. Farm Business management, successful decisions in a Further, international certifi cation of changing environment, Macmillian Publishing incense and perfume market brands Co., Inc., New York, the U.S.A.; (11) Rahul is necessary to standardize the Chadha, 2010. Agarwood products and their utility, Top Ceo Company Delhi, India; (12) classifi cation of essential oils among Raintree, J. B., 1987. D & D User’s manual users and traders.• (an introduction to agroforestry diagnosis and The authors can be contacted at the Viet Nam design), International Council for Research in Forestry Network, No. 6/1 Doan Huu Trung Agroforestry, Nairobi, Kenya; (13) Robert, A. Street, Hue City, Viet Nam. Blanchette, 2008. Agarwood and essential oil, University of Minnesota, the U.S.A.; (15) Tony, References: (1) Bailey, L., H., 1963. The Mandarich, 2010. Rainforest plants: Agarwood, Fig. 2 The intercropping of Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture, The Brisbane, Australia; (16) Wikipedia, the Free agarwood and oil palm. Macmillan Company, New York, Chicago, Encyclopedia, 2008. Agar-wood. the U.S.A.; (2) Gerard, A. Persoon, 2007.

Assessment of resources Restoring land productivity Land. Of India’s total geographical area of 329 million ha, about through agroforestry 187 million ha is experiencing water erosion (48.9 million Arinder S.Gill ([email protected]) ha), wind erosion (13.5 million ha), and chemical (13.8 million In the early days, farmers were 29 percent of the total area. About ha) and physical deterioration the pride of India. They were 71 percent of the area is being (11.6 million ha). sidelined as the country became maintained by farmers who own industrialized. Today, the plight of medium- to large-sized holdings. In India, the net cultivated area farmers is next to the unemployed (143 million ha) is one of the youth of the country. Of the country’s 328 million highest in the world alongside ha, only 43.5 percent is under Russia (10.8 million ha), As of 2010, the population of cultivation and supports 70 percent China (11.5 million ha), Japan India had reached one billion. of the country’s population. The (15.5 million ha), the United States More than 70 percent of the increasing population is causing the of America (16.2 million ha), and country’s population resides in decline in the per capita availability Pakistan (30 million ha). villages. Six lakh villages comprise of the land from an estimated an estimated 105 million farm 0.48 ha to 0.15 ha by the end of the Water. Due to population pressure families. The majority (76.2%) of century. and increased livestock raising, a the communities are marginal and water crisis is being felt all over the small farmers who only cultivate country. Large areas of the country

12 Asia-Pacifi c Agroforestry Newsletter • No. 38 • July 2011 are still rainfed. Large areas are country’s total geographical area. socially acceptable (FAO 1995). also experiencing drought. The At present, the actual forest cover Sustainability is production with continuous decline in forest cover is estimated at 63.34 million ha or conservation. further contributes to the change 19.27 percent of the country’s land Diversifi ed farming system in the country’s agro-climatic area. conditions. Highly degraded areas, with slopes India’s national policy requires that of more than 8 percent, have the The water crisis in India is also forests in the hilly region should potential for alternative land-use evidenced by river pollution caused occupy 66 percent of the total forest management systems. The system by city waste and industrialization, cover and comprise 33 percent of should aim at conserving the site increased demand for irrigation, the country’s land area. Agroforestry while sustaining production. and the regression of ground water can help provide timber and level. Because of the water crisis fuelwood and reduce pressure on Shifting the emphasis from situation, farmers fi nd it diffi cult to the forests to obtain these products. commodity research towards venture into agriculture. A hectare of agroforestry farm could production system research is the provide products equal to that of key to enhanced productivity, Air. Air constitutes 0.03 percent clearing 5 ha of forests. improved profi tability and sustained of total atmospheric gases. The agriculture. Diversifi cation in Sustainable agriculture increasing amounts of CO2 in the farming systems minimizes risks atmosphere are causing an increase Sustainable agriculture aims to meet in productivity, increases income- in temperature by 2 percent the challenging demands for food, generating opportunities, stabilizes every year. High temperatures are fi ber and fuel for the burgeoning employment, and provides food directly infl uencing the patterns of human population, fodder for and nutritional security. Diversity atmospheric circulation, the polar animals and industrial raw materials of food crops, fodder and under- ice shields at sea levels which affect for agro-based industries, without utilized crops improves overall precipitation and its distribution, accelerating natural resource farm production and enhances soil agricultural forest productivity and degradation. Sustainable agriculture fertility. Further, diversifi ed farming CO2 fl ux between the biosphere and rural development conserve the improves on-farm conservation of and the atmosphere. Coal burning natural resource base, and manage plant genetic resources. Integrating and continuous forest destruction the orientation of technological livestock into the system further are also causing air pollution. and institutional change in such adds income to the farmer through a way as to ensure the attainment the different products and provides Forest cover. The world’s forest and continued satisfaction of animal power to the farmer. Tree cover is only 11 percent globally human needs for present and crops integrated into the system (app.) The Forest Survey of India future generations. Sustainable provide shade, windbreaks, food, (1995) estimated that forest cover development conserves land, fodder and fuelwood. from 1993 to 1995 was reduced water and plant and animal genetic Agroforestry from 64.01 to 63.96 million ha. resources, is environmentally non- The recorded forest area is 76.5 degrading, technically appropriate, Agroforestry has the capability to million ha, or 23.3 percent of the economically viable, and fulfi ll both production and service roles. It can provide the basic needs of the farmer and his family, restore land productivity, reduce soil erosion and improve soil fertility.

Providing basic needs. India’s population has reached one billion and is expected to increase to 1.3 billion in the next 25 years. To feed this increasing population, India aims to increase the present food grain production of 204 million tonnes to 230 million tonnes. Aside from grains, the current production of fodder falls short of demand by 60 percent. Likewise, fuelwood is in short supply. Agroforestry Agroforestry has the capability to provide the basic needs of the farmer and his family, Continued on page 14 restore land productivity, reduce soil erosion and improve soil fertility.

Agroforestry Promotion and Development 13 Restoring land productivity... Continued from page 13 Pongamia pinnata as an can provide the basic needs for food, fodder and fuel through the alternative source of combined production of food crops, trees and livestock in a sustainable renewable energy manner. R. S. Beniwal ([email protected]) Restoring land productivity. and Ruchi Chauhan ([email protected]) Alongside forest destruction is physical, chemical and biological Self-reliance in addressing soil degradation. Physical soil Species profi le energy needs is a key factor in degradation includes water and the economic progress of any Pongamia pinnata is a moderately- wind erosion, desertifi cation, developing country. Priority is sized evergreen tree with a compaction and hard setting. given to research on renewable spreading crown and a short bole. It Chemical degradation includes energy because of the increasing belongs to the family Leguminaceae acidifi cation and sodifi cation, while demand for fuel and its continuing (Papilionoideae) and is commonly biological degradation covers price increases. known as karanj. It is an Indo- the decline in organic matter Malaysian species that survives at and reduction in soil biological In recent years, research has been 1200 m asl. It is common along activity. The integration of tree directed at exploring bio-fuels, alluvial and coastal areas, from crops in agroforestry systems helps which are plant-based fuel sources, India to Fiji. The species thrives in address soil degradation and restore to supplement or substitute fossil areas with an annual rainfall of 500- productivity in degraded lands. fuels. Bio-fuels exist in liquid forms 2500 mm, and a temperature range 0 as ethanol and bio-diesel. They are of 1-38 C. It can resist drought and Reducing soil erosion. Likewise, biodegradable and non-hazardous. withstand water logging and slight tree crops in agroforestry systems They are gaining importance, frost. help reduce soil erosion. Tree litter especially in the transport sector. intercepts sediment from surface The use of bio-fuels also reduces Karanj is a fast-growing, glabrous water fl ow. The planting of trees the life cycle of carbon dioxide and deciduous tree with grey as windbreaks and shelterbelts emissions, decreases dependence smooth bark. Flowers are colored has become a common practice to on petro-fuel importation, promotes white and pink and known for their protect the farm against destructive rural employment, and protects the fragrance. Pods measure 40-60 mm winds. environment. long and 20-30 mm wide, are thick- walled, and usually contain a single Improving soil fertility. The trees in In India, consumption of petro-fuels seed. Seeds are 17-25 mm long, agroforestry systems maintain and is at 111 m tonnes annually. Of oblong, and light brown in color. improve soil fertility. Tree litter adds this amount, only 33 m tonnes are The tree species is now found in organic matter and nutrients to the produced in the country as crude Australia, Florida, Hawaii, India, soil, augments biological nitrogen oil. To address the continuing Malaysia, Oceania, Philippines and fi xation, promotes effi cient nutrient need for fuel and at the same time Seychelles. cycling and indirectly controls soil fodder, timber, and various forest erosion. The root systems of trees products in India, research on Pongamia pinnata is one of the few add 20-30 percent organic matter Pongamia pinnata seeds is being nitrogen-fi xing trees to produce and nutrients to the soil. The use done to explore its potential for seeds that contain 30-45 percent of nitrogen-fi xing trees further producing bio-diesel. oil. The oil is thick and yellow- improves soil health. orange to brown in color. The oil is

The challenges being faced by farming in India can be addressed with the adoption of agroforestry systems. The integration of trees with food crops reduces competition and instead maximizes the utilization of resources for increased productivity.• The author is an agroforestry expert, Friends Colony, Gwalior Road, Jhansi, 284003, India. The pods of Pongamia pinnata. TheTh seedsd off PiiPongamia pinnata.t

14 Asia-Pacifi c Agroforestry Newsletter • No. 38 • July 2011 used as a substitute for diesel fuel. Pongamia pinnata planted along road Further, the oil is being promoted sides. as a lubricant, water-paint binder, pesticide, one of the raw materials for soap, and in tanning.

In agroforestry, karanj can be integrated with agricultural crops only on saline soils at 6 m x 6 m spacing. It can be planted along boundaries or along the road at 5 m x 5 m spacing. About 110 plants can be planted per acre at 6 m x Park plantation of Pongamia pinnata. 6 m spacing.

Karanj produces seeds starting from its fourth year. It can yield 10 kg of seeds during its initial years. A medium-sized karanj can yield 25- 40 kg of seeds per year and later on 50 kg of seeds. Seeds can be collected during April-June. Normally, a person can collect 30 kg of seeds/day which are sold for Rs.3 per kg (USD0.061) in India.

Further research on the integration of karanj as a bio-fuel crop in agroforestry systems is recommended to help promote its use as renewable energy.• Pongamia The authors can be contacted at the Department of Forestry, CCS Haryana Agricultural pinnata - based University, Hisar-125 004, Haryana , India. agroforestry system.

global change science; and Planet under pressure policy, industry and the public • A new vision for international research. To be held 26-29 March 2012, in Key Aims London, U.K., the International Conference Themes planet under pressure conference The conference aims to achieve the will provide a comprehensive following: Three broad themes will guide the conference: update of the pressure that planet • A state of the planet assessment Earth is now under. The conference and solutions for a sustainable • Meeting global needs: food, will discuss solutions at all scales to future; energy, water and other move societies on to a sustainable • Gather 2 500 participants ecosystem services; pathway. It will provide scientifi c combining global-change • Transforming our way of living: leadership towards the 2012 science and policy, business development pathways under UN Conference on Sustainable and development communities; global environmental change; Development - Rio+20. • Scientifi c leadership towards and the 2012 UN Rio +20 • Governing across scales: conference; innovative stewardship of the • Building trans-disciplinary Earth system. research communities; For more information: http://www. • Identifying opportunities for planetunderpressure2012.net.• enhanced partnerships between

Agroforestry Promotion and Development 15 can we foster adaptations International conference to futures characterized by surprise, non-linear change and unexpected consequences? on climate adaptation 2012 • Funding priority research and adaptation: Who pays, and for • Update on key emerging The Climate adaptation futures what, where, and how? climate change and impacts 2012 conference, to be held 29-31 • Tools for adaptation: What science, including the latest May 2012, in Tuscon, Arizona, approaches, tools, and methods on future extremes, sea level U.S.A., will focus on adaptation are available? How do we change, water supplies and to climate variability and change. judge their effectiveness? landscape transformation: How It will bring together researchers, • Measuring and evaluating will uncertainties change in the policy makers, and practitioners adaptation: How do we coming decade? from developed and developing know whether investments • Communicating climate risks to countries to share insights into in adaptive capacity and facilitate adaptation: What do the challenges and opportunities adaptation are working? people want and need to know that adaptation presents. It will • Adaptation under 4 degrees and how best to understand showcase cutting-edge research Celsius warming: As mitigation and deliver information? from around the world, focusing on options are exhausted or • Building adaptive capacity: themes of equity and risk, learning, delayed how might we face the Communities, institutions, capacity building, methodology, challenges of adapting to 4oC of and adaptation fi nance and and individuals lack suffi cient warming? investment. It will explore practical capacity for implementation; adaptation policies and approaches, What are the most effective For more information contact and share strategies for decision ways to build capacity? What University of Arizona Institute making from the international to the type of investments in capacity of Environment via e-mail or local scale. are appropriate and what scale phone: +1 (520) 626-4345. For of decision-making should be more information, visit http:// High-priority topics and questions targeted? www.adaptation.arizona.edu/ include: • Examples of adaptations adaptation2012.• through case studies and best • Regional studies: Where are practices, including costs the places and people most at and benefi ts of implementing need? What are their adaptation these options: What can we options and strategies for learn from past adaptations to implementation? environmental change? How

Coverage includes investigations New information resources of a fundamental or applied nature, research methodologies Agrobiodiversity management food sovereignty and policies. and techniques, and analytical for food security It also addresses claims and descriptions of little-studied but misinformation in the subject based potentially promising agroforestry Agrobiodiversity provides most of on sound scientifi c principles. and other integrated systems our food through our interaction Available: http://bookshop.cabi.org. involving trees and crops and/ with crops and domestic animals. or livestock. The editors choose Future global food security is fi rmly Agroforestry systems journal for publication articles relevant anchored in sound, science-based Agroforestry systems is a peer- to a broader context than the management of agrobiodiversity. reviewed international scientifi c specifi c location of the study that Written by J. M. Lenné and D. journal presenting original research provide new insight or signifi cant Wood, this book presents key results, critical reviews and short contributions to the knowledge concepts of agrobiodiversity communications on all aspects base. Available: http://www. management, critically reviewing of agroforestry, including both springer.com/. important current and emerging biophysical and socioeconomic issues including agricultural aspects. Short communications development, crop introduction, typically report on incomplete practical diversity in farming or initial results. The journal also systems, impact of modern periodically publishes book reviews crop varieties and GM crops, and other professional information. conservation, climate change,

16 Asia-Pacifi c Agroforestry Newsletter • No. 38 • July 2011 Building resilience to climate It analyses the expected impact of strategies needed are case- change: ecosystem-based climate change on a set of major specifi c and will have regional adaptation and lessons from the agricultural systems at risk and differences. This book provides an fi eld makes the case for immediate integrated view of the challenges implementation of “no-regrets” and opportunities that will face With climate change now a strategies which have both positive agriculture in the future as a result certainty, the question is now how development outcomes and make of climate change. It discusses much change there will be and agricultural systems resilient. It how the stresses resulting from what can be done about it. One of is hoped that policy makers and climate change can be overcome by the answers is through adaptation. planners can use this report to assessing, measuring and predicting Many of the lessons that are being frame their adaptation responses environmental changes and stresses, learned in adaptation are from when considering both the water identifying opportunities and success stories from the fi eld. This variable in agriculture and the adapting to change and responding publication contains 11 case studies competing demands from other to multifactorial change. Challenges covering different ecosystems users. Available: http://www.fao. and potential strategies that might and regions around the world. It org/. be taken to overcome these are aims to summarize some current illustrated using a number of case applications of the Ecosystem-based Collaborative governance of studies. This book is edited by J. L. Adaptation (EbA) concept and its tropical landscapes Araus. Available: http://bookshop. tools used around the world, and This book provides a novel cabi.org/. also draw lessons from experiences approach to governance relating to in conservation adaptation. biodiversity and human well-being Food security and global Available: http://www.earthprint. in complex tropical landscapes, environmental change com/. including forests and protected Bundles of energy: the case for areas. It focuses attention at the Global environmental change renewable biomass energy interface between communities (GEC) represents an immediate and and the landscape level, building unprecedented threat to the food This report aims to inform forest on interdisciplinary research security of hundreds of millions and energy decision makers in conducted in fi ve countries of people, especially those who non-OECD countries of key issues (Cameroon, Indonesia, Lao PDR, depend on small-scale agriculture surrounding the biomass energy Madagascar and Tanzania). In for their livelihoods. The book boom. It describes the advantages each country, the research was set provides a major, accessible and challenges of biomass, how within the framework of a major synthesis of the current state of it compares with renewable national policy thrust. The book knowledge and thinking on the alternatives, and how to develop improves our understanding of relationships between global policy frameworks that optimize and ability to manage complex environmental change and food its impact on poverty reduction, landscapes---mosaics of differing security. Information shows that climate change mitigation and the land uses---in a more adaptive and agriculture and related activities preservation of ecosystem services. collaborative way that benefi ts also contribute to GEC by, for It seeks to stimulate interest in both the environment and local example, intensifying greenhouse the topic and promote serious communities. It includes both single gas emissions and altering the discussion about how the full country and cross-site analyses, land surface. Responses aimed at potential of biomass energy can be and focuses on themes, such as adapting to GEC may have negative harnessed in the service of national resettlement, land use planning, consequences for food security, interests. Available: http://www. non-timber forest product use just as measures taken to increase earthprint.com/. and management, the disconnect food security may exacerbate GEC. Climate change, water between customary and formal The authors show that this complex and food security legal systems, and the role of and dynamic relationship between GEC and food security is also The impacts of climate change on larger scale policies in local level infl uenced by additional factors; the global hydrological cycle are realities. Chapters also analyze food systems are heavily infl uenced expected to vary the patterns of experience with monitoring and a by socioeconomic conditions, demand and supply of water for local governance assessment tool. which in turn are affected by agriculture - the dominant use of Available: http://www.earthprint. multiple processes such as macro- freshwater. This report summarizes com/. level economic policies, political knowledge of the anticipated Crop stress management and confl icts and other important impacts of climate change on global climate change drivers. Available: http://www. water availability for agriculture Climate change is a diverse, earthprint.com/.• and examines the implications for multifactorial phenomenon, local and national food security. meaning that the agronomic

Agroforestry Information Resources 17 Useful websites

Crops for the future http://www.cropsforthefuture.org/ Crops for the Future is an organization dedicated to the promotion of neglected and underutilised plant species as a contribution to humanity. Activities are arranged in three major strategic objectives formulated to increase the impact of past and ongoing research and development: (1) increasing the knowledge base for underutilised crops, especially regarding sustained market access, nutritional security, health and climate change; (2) identifying and advocating necessary policy change to promote the use of underutilised crops; and (3) fostering capacity building about underutilised crops.

The Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation http://www.cta.int/ The Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA) works in the fi eld of information for development. Focus is on: (1) providing information products and services (e.g., publications, question-and-answer services and database services); (2) promoting the integrated use of communication channels, old and new, to improve the fl ow of information (e.g., e-communities, web portals, seminars, and study visits); and (3) building capacity in information and communication management, mainly through training and partnerships.

18 Asia-Pacifi c Agroforestry Newsletter • No. 38 • July 2011 Climate Change Connection http://www.climatechangeconnection. org/Solutions/Agroforestry.htm

Climate Change Connection has an educational and facilitative role toward climate change solutions. The network facilitates sharing of toolkits, presentations, website resources, network lists, funding guides and calendar, workshops, campaign initiatives, library resources, and various displays.

National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service http://attra.ncat.org/index.php

The National Center for Appropriate Technology is a private nonprofi t organization, founded in 1976, which operates a series of publicly- funded projects to promote self-reliance (especially for low- income people) through wise use of appropriate technology. Its programs deal with energy conservation, resource-effi cient housing, sustainable community development, and sustainable agriculture.

Useful Websites 19 Call for Contributions

We are inviting contributions Announcements on new for the 40th and 41st issues of information resources, useful the Asia-Pacifi c Agroforestry websites, and upcoming relevant Newsletter (APANews) on or before events are also welcome. 28 February and 30 June 2012, respectively. Interested contributors must keep the articles straight and simple Contributions may focus on to cater to as many audiences as activities that highlight agroforestry possible. Limit your contributions research, promotion and to 1 000 to 1 500 words. Include development, and education and good-quality photographs (scanned training. at 300 dpi) that are properly labeled and referred to in the text. Indicate Topics of particular interest are on: your complete contact details, • agroforestry and poverty especially your E-mail address in alleviation; the article, for readers to contact • agroforestry and livelihood; you should they have further • agroforestry and farmers’ inquiries about your article. income and livelihood; • agroforestry enterprises and/or Send your contributions through marketing E-mail to the UPLB Institute of • agroforestry and mining area Agroforestry, 2/F Tamesis Hall, rehabilitation; College of Forestry and Natural • agroforestry and climate Resources, UP Los Baños, PO Box change; 35023, College, 4031 Laguna, • agroforestry and biodiversity Philippines; Fax +63 49 5363809; conservation; E-mail [email protected] • agroforestry and desertifi cation; and [email protected].• and • other key development issues in agroforestry.

Asia-Pacifi c Agroforestry Newsletter FAO Regional Offi ce for Asia and the Pacifi c 39 Phra Atit Road, Bangkok 10200, Thailand Website: http://www.fao.org and http://www.fao.or.th E-mail: [email protected], [email protected] and [email protected]