Trees Outside Forests

The role and potential of agroforestry as a development vehicle in Malawi has largely not been fulfilled. It is therefore imperative that research should be focused on generation of appropriate, science-based technologies of wide applicability or improvement of the existing traditional practices, especially under resource-poor conditions and in smallholder farming systems. There is a range of well-established traditional agroforestry practices in Malawi which have the potential to contribute significantly to the alleviation of rural poverty through amelioration of the environment, improved nutrition and the production of non-timber and timber products. FRIM’s major focus in this respect is the development of improved management guidelines for existing traditional agroforestry practices, domestication of indigenous fruit trees for incorporation into smallholder farming systems and development of an integrated pest management scheme for agroforestry species.