Special Public Works Programmes - SPWP - Planting Trees - An Illustrated Technical Guide and Training Manual (ILO - UNDP, 1993, 190 p.): 7. Planting trees outside woodlots and forests: 7.4 Intercropping for tree planting

Special Public Works Programmes - SPWP - Planting Trees - An Illustrated Technical Guide and Training Manual (ILO - UNDP, 1993, 190 p.)

(introduction...)

Preface

Introduction

1. Planning a plantation

(introduction...)

1.1 What regeneration method to use?

1.2 What species to establish?

1.3 Whether to plant a single tree species or a mixture of several?

1.4 What type of planting stock to use?

1.5 What planting pattern to use and how many seedlings to plant?

1.6 When to plant?

1.7 How to protect the seedlings?

1.8 The plantation plan

2. Preparing the planting site

(introduction...)

2.1 Clearing vegetation

2.2 Ground preparation

2.3 Marking where to dig the holes

2.4 Digging holes

2.5 Soil and water conservation measures

3. Handling seedlings

(introduction...)

3.1 Packing and transport of seedlings

3.2 Storing seedlings

3.3 Quality of seedlings and grading

3.4 Stripping and trimming

3.5 Transporting seedlings from the road to the planting site

4. Planting techniques

(introduction...)

4.1 Digging the holes

4.2 On-site distribution of the seedlings

4.3 Planting

4.4 Use of fertilizers

5. Adapting planting techniques to different site conditions

(introduction...)

5.1 Favourable sites

5.2 Sites with high grass

5.3 Waterlogged sites

5.4 Dry sites

5.5 Eroding slopes and rocky sites

5.6 Steep slopes

5.7 Sand dunes

5.8 High altitudes with snow

6. Maintaining plantations

(introduction...)

6.1 Weed control

6.2 Protection from grazing

6.3 Fire prevention

6.4 Protection from insects, diseases and rodents

6.5 Fertilizers

6.6 Replacement planting

7. Planting trees outside woodlots and forests

(introduction...)

7.1 Trees in crop and grazing land

7.2 Alley cropping

7.3 Intercropping in rotation

7.4 Intercropping for tree planting

7.5 Shelterbelts

7.6 Road-sides and river-sides

7.7 Homesteads and public places

8. Organizing the work

(introduction...)

8.1 Planning

8.2 Workforce

8.3 Labour requirements over the year

8.4 Worknorms

8.5 Coordinating the work

8.6 Tools and equipment

8.7 Supervision and control

8.8 Records to keep

9. Working conditions

(introduction...)

9.1 Hours of work and rest

9.2 Nutrition and amenities

9.3 Wage systems

9.4 Training, job content and labour-management relations

9.5 Safety

Appendices - Technical sheets

Appendix 1 - Surveying and mapping of large planting sites

Appendix 2 - Laying out and preparing soil and water conservation structures

Appendix 3 - Survival count

Some useful guides/handbooks

Titles in the series of training elements and technical guides for SPWP workers

7.4 Intercropping for tree planting

It is also possible to intercrop only for a few years while a woodlot or tree plantation is being established. This is known as the Taungya system. The trees benefit from the soil preparation and weeding for the agricultural crop. The farmer will protect both his food crops and the seedlings. As a result, the trees survive much better and grow much faster. This form of intercropping can be practised by individual farmers or by landless cultivators that lease the land for two or three years. In the latter case it is important that the responsibilities and rights of the farmer and the landowner are clearly explained and that a contract is drawn up. The lease usually specifies who is responsible for planting and caring for the tree seedlings. Each cultivator is allocated about 0.5 to 1.5 ha of land. Leasing procedures are often complicated by the fact that the local population distrusts the forest service or the state, because of bad experiences in the past (such as unclear ownership or expropriation without compensation).

After ground preparation food crops are planted. Normally annual crops are cultivated such as beans, maize or sweet potatoes. A particularly good combination are sweet potatoes cultivated on ridges, as shown in the figure opposite. Sweet potatoes can grow on relatively poor sites, they are quite shade-tolerant and the ridges provide excellent soil and water conservation. Perennial crops like bananas, papaya and cocoa can also be grown. Tree seedlings are planted at the same time, or one or two years after the food crop. Large tree seedlings should be used because they are sturdy and easily seen. Spacing between the rows of trees should be wider than for a normal plantation to delay the time when the canopy of leaves closes over and shades the food crop.

The raising of food crops continues until the shade from the trees prevents satisfactory growth. This may last up to four to five years depending on tree growth, initial spacing and the kind of food crops grown. The area is abandoned by the farmer when it is no longer suitable for growing food. Normally, he will already be working in a new area nearby. The farmer may also work several small areas at the same tune, clearing a new one each year.

Intercropping for tree planting

On own land

or leased land

Example for intercropping with sweet potatoes and trees

year 1

year 2

year 3