Agricultural intensification within agroforestry: The case of coffee and wood products

Rice, Robert A.

doi:10.1016/j.agee.2008.06.007

Cited by 90 publications

(79 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…While the combined total of all shade-derived products (wood, fruits, animals, etc., see Rice 2008) generates more value on average at the farm level in Guatemala than in Peru (Table 3), there are differences in the fate of these fruits. Their sale or exchange brings nearly seven-fold more value to Guatemalan growers in absolute monetary terms, and more than twice the amount percentage-wise ( Fig.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Decades of development projects aimed at improving coffee yields and backed by the United States Agency for International Development, coupled with local efforts from Guatemala's National Coffee Association (ANACAFE), have led to higher yields for growers, whereas Peru's coffee sector has languished by comparison. These distinct trajectories have played a role in what are particular social and agricultural landscapes, not the least of which are significant differences in coffee area cultivated, absolute coffee income as well as coffee income per hectare, and yields-with Guatemalan growers showing a greater involvement and commitment to more intensified management practices (Rice 2008). Coffee in Guatemala is relatively more important in the national economy as an income generator, making up 8% of the foreign exchange (personal communication with E. Eskanasy 2010), compared to Peru, where it competes with hefty mineral exports and accounts for only 2.2% of foreign exchange (Infotrade/Promperu, 2010).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…But it is the assessment of the actual value-whether in terms of use or exchange-of the shade-derived products associated with agroforestry systems that can better inform us as to the real importance of these associated products at the farm level. A comparison of the wood products harvested from coffee systems in Guatemala and Peru (Rice 2008) showed significant differences in how growers use the hardwood species that comprise the shade cover in coffee agroforestry systems. The study at hand evaluates the fate of fruits from the coffee agroforestry setting, comparing their relative importance to Guatemalan and Peruvian growers and how they use these products, as well as examining the rural context within which growers manage the coffee agroforestry system.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Scant studies of coffee agroforestry systems reference the benefits linked to and derived from the noncoffee products flowing from the shade systems (Escalante et al 1987;Escalante 1995;Kehlenbeck and Maass 2004;Langemann and Heuveldop 1983;Muschler 1999;Rice 2008). Given that it is small landholders, most often the sub-sector responsible for managing such diverse, multi-use systems, who deserve focused attention from policymakers concerned with agriculture and development (Garrity 2004;IAASTD 2009;WOLA 2008), studies of how agroforestry systems contribute to local income are sorely needed.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Fruits from shade trees in coffee: how important are they?

Rice

2011

Agroforest Syst

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Agroforestry systems often receive attention and support in the literature for what is perceived as the benefits from multiple products associated with the trees that create the ''forest'' component of the setting. A comparison of small coffee growers' use of fruits derived from the coffee agroforestry holding in Guatemala and Peru reveals that significant differences exist between these groups-not merely in the importance of the fruits themselves, but in the ways they are used. The overall importance of fruits from the coffee system accounts for a relatively small portion of the total value coming from the coffee area (about 10%), but the consumption and sales of the various products do generate needed income or sustenance for most farmers. The fate of fruits shows significant differences between the two countries. Whether at the farm level or on a per hectare basis, Guatemalan coffee farmers are more linked into a market economy and sell significantly more fruits than Peruvian farmers. The opposite is the case when on-farm consumption (use value) of the fruits is compared. While the potential value of these products may be quite large (from $95 to $270/ha), we find that little gets consumed or sold, resulting in tremendous loss of potential benefits that could flow from these sources. Both groups lose more fruits than are sold or used, with Guatemalans foregoing more than three times the dollar value per hectare than Peruvians ($151/ha vs. $44/ha). Data about the economic context within which these growers and the fruits from coffee are found reveal possible reasons as to why we see the differences in use and exchange values realized in the two countries.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Fruits from shade trees in coffee: how important are they?

Rice

2011

Agroforest Syst

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“…Thus, a shade coffee plantation is acclaimed as an excellent ecological setting that plays a critical role in protecting biodiversity by providing wildlife habitat, and protecting land from erosion while producing commercial products (Moguel and Toledo 1999). An important aspect of shade coffee plantations -that they combine use of forests and production of commercial crops -as been also noted as a socioeconomic boon for farmers (Rice 2008).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Flexibility of coffee agroforestry with diversified shade tree composition: A case study in Panama

Fujisawa

Tanaka

Inoue

2012

Tropics

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Agroforestry has drawn attention as a promising way to tackle deforestation, particularly in tropical regions.Shade coffee agroforestry in Central America is one such example that has been spotlighted as an ecological and socioeconomic boon for farmers. In this study we focus on the distribution of shade trees and the dynamics of coffee plantations, and explain how is incorporated into people's changing livelihoods. Interviews with households and visits to coffee fields revealed 119 different shade tree species in various combinations on 159 coffee fields held by 66 households. The diversification of tree species was a reflection of various demands for shade trees according to the preferences of individual householders based on their lifestyle, culture, and knowledge. Diversity and variability in land use was also observed. Especially plantations had flexible dynamics incorporating slash-and-burn farming. These diversities should help people in responding flexibly to changes in external political or economic factors. Maintaining a wide range of options through diversity or other means is an excellent way to ensure a robust and flexible response to external pressures.

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