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Decision Tree Analysis And Diagnostic & Design of Agroforestry Problems
By E.M Govere
Price:  [Z$80]

Agroforestry, is generally defined as the study of land use systems, technologies
and practices where woody perennials (trees, shrubs, bushes, palms, bamboos, etc)
are deliberately managed on the same land-management units as agricultural
crops and/or animals, in some form of spatial arrangement or temporal sequence
and where the systems, technologies and practices result in sustainable ecological
and economic interactions with maximum social benefits.  Govere (1995) defined
agroforestry as the science, business and art of managing and conserving
agricultural forests (agroforests) and associated lands for continuing economic,
social and environmental benefits.  According to Nair (1993), the four characteristics
of agroforesty are that it:

  • Involves two or more species of plants (or plants and animals), at least one
    of which is a woody perennial.

  • Always has two or more outputs.

  • Has a cycle which is always more than one year, and

  • Is more complex ecologically and economically that monocropping system.

At the recent annual planning meeting of the International Centre for Research in
Afroforestry (ICRAF) in Nairobi (September 1996) experts working in various
disciplines of agroforestry of refined the definition to a dynamic ecologically based
natural resources management system that through the integration of trees in
farms and la ndscapes, diversifies and sustains production for increased social,
economic and environmental benefits for land at all levels (farm, community,
watershed, ecozone etc).  One of the greatest obstacles to sustainable agroforestry development process is the poor decision making processes.  The multifaceted
characteristics of agroforestry technologies and practices not only make it difficult
to define agroforestry, but also make decision making more complex than those
involving monocroping technologies and practices.  In addition, because agroforestry
is a relatively new discipline in which many issues are still unresolved, decision
making is more complex and the probability of making wrong decisions is relatively
high.  To reduce the deviation or risk of making decisions that would have negative
impact, and to ensure greater involvement and support in the implementation of
agroforestry activities, there are participatory decision making tools you can use.
Some of these decision tools are:

  • Decision Tree Analysis (DTA)

  • Diagnostic & Design (D&D)

  • Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA)

  • Rapid Rural Appraisal (RRA)

These decision tools assist you as an agroforestry researcher, extension officer,
or trainer to identify the need for intervention and course of action to enhance the
chances of success in the implementation of the chosen alternative.   A common
weakness in identifying the correct problem is failure to involve or consult those
being affected by the problem or constraint.  Participatory approaches are gaining
favour with modern scientists.  In  participatory research, the potential beneficiary
is involved in the identification of the problem, its causes and effects, and in the
identification, verification, implementation and evaluation of the solutions to the
problem.

This Chapter presents two decision making tools:  DTA and D&D.  These two
decision tools are widely used in agroforestry and other natural sciences as
planning and research survey tools.  For social sciences, tools such as PRA and
RRA are widely used.

ature of rural livelihood sources and recognize