Agroforestry parkland with Faidherbia albida (Julie Zähringer)
Between scattered trees of which some were carefully selected for their positive influence on soil properties, either millet (Pennisetum typhoides), groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) or watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) are grown in rotation. The dominant tree species are Faidherbia albida (syn. Acacia albida), Sclerocarya birrea, Sterculia setigera and Combretum glutinosum. Some of the species were introduced from elsewhere and planted by land users when they settled in the area. Other species regenerated naturally in the fields and were protected till they reached mature age. F. albida sheds it's leaves at the beginning of the rainy season increasing soil nutrient stock for the cultivation period and reducing competition with crops for light. Sclerocarya birrea is widely appreciated by cattle for it's nutritious fruits. Cattle resting in the shade of the large trees provide free organic manure. Mulching and manure application are common means to improve soil organic matter and nutrient content in this remote area where access to inorganic fertilizers is very limited due to inaccessibility.
Purpose of the Technology: The main objectives of this parkland system are to enhance crop production through improvement of soil properties with the help of trees, the provision of supplementary food for cattle in the form of fruits and the availability of certain plants (or parts of them) for traditional medicine.
Establishment / maintenance activities and inputs: The technology has a long tradition in more southern regions of Sénégal and was brought to the Ferlo by Wolof people that moved to this zone in the search for cultivable area. Knowledge is transferred from parents to their children. Except for the purchase of seeds for cultivation of the fields there is no financial inputs required for this system.
Natural / human environment: This SLM technology site is located in the sylvopastoral region of the Ferlo in the north of Sénégal. The agro-climatic zone is classified as semi-arid with mean annual precipitation of 300-400 mm. Rainfed agriculture under agroforestry parkland in a belt around the main village is the main landuse type in the area. In a second circle, extensive pastoralism is practiced and forest resources are being exploited. Presence of insects and wild animals (monkeys, warthogs) damaging cultures and the lack of sufficient rainfall are main constraints mentioned by landusers in the area. Degradation of vegetation cover is widespread. The bare soils are prone to wind erosion, a common phenomenon in the area, carrying away the arable soil horizon and causing a decline in soil fertility. In general, the local population has signaled a decline of land degradation due to the widely practiced tradition of SLM technologies.
Location: Linguère / Barkédji, Louga, Senegal
No. of Technology sites analysed:
Spread of the Technology: evenly spread over an area (approx. 0.1-1 km2)
In a permanently protected area?:
Date of implementation: more than 50 years ago (traditional)
Type of introduction
| Specify input | Unit | Quantity | Costs per Unit (n.a.) | Total costs per input (n.a.) | % of costs borne by land users |
| Plant material | |||||
| Seeds | 1.0 | 1.68 | 1.68 | 100.0 | |
| Total costs for establishment of the Technology | 1.68 | ||||
| Total costs for establishment of the Technology in USD | 1.68 | ||||
fruits of Sclerocarya birrea
because of availability of plants used in traditional medicine
mulching
mulching
litterfall, organic manure
