anglais
espagnol
GLOBAL MOVEMENT FOR A CULTURE OF PEACE

Sur la gauche ci-dessous, vous trouverez un article de CPNN et sur la droite la discussion qui s'y rapporte. Vous êtes invité à lire et à discuter en cliquant sur l'une des questions listées ici, ou, si vous le souhaitez, poser une nouvelle question. Prenez le temps de cocher l'un des boutons ci-dessous en choisissant le niveau de priorité qui doit être donné à cet article.

S'informer Êcrire Lire Accueil L'équipe Discuter Rechercher S'inscrire Contact
par domain d'action
par région
par catégorie
par date
Les Nations Unis et la Culture de Paix
Le Mouvement Mondial pour une Culture de Paix
Valeurs, Attitudes, Actions
CPNN Reglements
Envoyer un Rapport
Devenez un Reporter de CPNN


Below the Radar: Designer Farms with Trees
un article par Tony Dominski

Wangari Maathi who won the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize (see CPNN report) showed that trees have the potential to improve rural economics and environment. However, it is a little known fact that careful plantings of trees on farms can greatly improve agricultural productivity. This practice is known as agroforestry.

For example, hedgerows of trees and shrubs of the pea family, e.g., locust and acacia, can improve the yields of adjacent agricultural crops such as grain. Pea family trees have the special virtue of producing nitrogen fertilizer from the raw material of atmospheric nitrogen. The tree leaves can be pruned for organic fertilizer or used as fodder for livestock. Hedgerows also protect valuable topsoil from blowing or washing away and are especially valuable in windy or hilly areas.

Other uses of trees on farms include the production of fruits and nuts, the ability to function as living fences, and as a source of building materials, firewood, and even medicine. For example, quinine and natural aspirin are derived from tree bark. Many of these and other tree products can be sold as cash crops.

The potential of designer farms with trees to improve the life and environment of millions, even billions of the planet’s poor rural residents is huge. However, this kind of agricultural development is still its infancy. Research and pilot projects are now proceeding on every continent.

DISCUSSION

Question(s) liée(s) à cet article:


The role of organic farming, Can it help preserve the planet and end world hunger?

* * * * *

Commentaire le plus récent:

If ever there was a liberating technology for the planet it is agroforestry.  It works because trees, with trunks and branches, holding up their leaves to the sun, are efficient solar collectors.labor, energy and soil damage due to plowing.  

Trees add organic matter to the soil in the form of leaves, and dead branches and roots.  This organic matter is the biological basis for invaluable topsoil with its community of worms, insects and microbes.  

Trees provide innumerable opportunities for increasing agricutural productivity.  For example, mulberry trees can be planted in chicken yards.  Mullberries which fall from the sky onto the chickens provide good fresh food for the chickens.  And of course the chickens can fertilize the mulberry trees. . ... continuation.


Cet article a été mis en ligne le November 15, 2004.