To identify appropriate methods for evaluating the impact of new agroforestry technologies, ICRAF in 1988–89 contacted 166 projects worldwide about their activities in agroforestry technology monitoring and evaluation. Of the 108 which responded, 45% were involved in some type of impact evaluation. This review revealed common difficulties in selecting impact indicators and methods of evaluation. Emphasis to date has been on evaluating numbers of trees planted and area under agroforestry, rather than socioeconomic impacts. Defining agroforestry adoption and distinguishing intermediate and final impacts were problematic. Impact studies were often difficult to interpret or compare, limiting their value for the rest of the agroforestry community. An analytical framework for planning impact evaluation in agroforestry projects is proposed, based on lessons learned from the review. Selection of indicators should depend upon whether project objectives relate to changes in: number and type of trees grown, land use, farmer knowledge and attitudes, availability of agroforestry products and services, and/or socioeconomic welfare. Data collection tools may include sequential photography or mapping, informal or formal farmer surveys, informal or formal field surveys, farmer meetings and workshops, trend analysis of project records, and case studies of households or communities, depending upon the audience for project evaluation and project resources.
Tag: extension workers
The need for a gender approach in agroforestry research in the Peruvian Amazon Basin – a personal perspective
There are different perceptions of gender among and within different cultures, depending on nationality, ethnic grouping, position of power, social class, religion, age, profession, and local environment. This article deals with the personal experiences of the author in agroforestry research and the difficulties she has encountered in her professional development due to a frequent lack of awareness about gender issues by her professional colleagues and the local community.
Agroforestry extension manual for Kenya
Agroforestry has received much attention in recent developments in rural Kenya. This has been reflected in the numerous projects in the past ten years that have supported tree growing efforts in Kenya. Many projects have synthesized their experiences gained in agroforestry extension and have developed relevant training materials for extension workers. This extension guide is written for the extension officers so that they can have a book that covers agroforestry in Kenya. The book explains the factors that need to be considered in agroforestry.
Agroforestry education and extension links in Malawi and Uganda: a pilot study of extension workers’ experiences.
The aim of this study was to explore linkages between education-at technical and professional levels-and extension, with reference to agroforestry in Malawi and Uganda. The study has been a joint effort by the Education Programme of the International Centre for Research in Agroforestry (ICRAF), Bunda Collge of Agriculture in Malawi and Nyabyeya Forestry College in Uganda.