This April 2025 manual presents the \u201cPromotion of Agroforestry\u201d project implemented in Katete District, Eastern Province, Zambia, under a bilateral cooperation agreement between Zambia\u2019s Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) and Germany\u2019s BMEL, in partnership with unique land use GmbH and Community Markets for Conservation (COMACO). The project promotes agroforestry as a practical, climate-resilient land-use approach for smallholder farmers, aiming to reduce pressure on natural forests while improving agricultural productivity, household income opportunities, and long-term resilience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Designed as a set of extension modules, the manual supports a Training-of-Trainers approach and provides field-ready guidance for extension officers and veterinary assistants. It covers the full operational chain from organizing farmer nursery groups and planning seedling demand, to seed procurement, quality assurance, and the timely distribution of key inputs such as planting bags. A detailed seed-to-field timeline helps practitioners align nursery production with seasonal conditions so that seedlings are ready for transplanting at the beginning of the rainy season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Beyond logistics and planning, the manual offers hands-on technical instruction for producing and applying Bokashi, a fast-fermented organic fertilizer that can improve soil health, nutrient availability, and moisture retention while reducing reliance on costly mineral fertilizers. It also includes step-by-step recommendations for establishing and managing tree nurseries\u2014covering site selection, shading, potting media preparation, sowing, watering, weeding, root pruning, pest management, hardening-off, and safe transport and planting practices to maximize survival rates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To strengthen the economic value of tree planting, the modules introduce basic propagation techniques, especially budding lemons and grafting mangoes, enabling earlier fruiting and higher-value seedlings for farmers and local nursery operators. The manual further details several agroforestry models that can be adapted to local needs, including Gliricidia alley cropping for soil fertility improvement, live fencing to reduce deforestation for poles and protect fields from livestock, woodlots for timber and non-timber products, and orchards to diversify farm income. Finally, it connects agroforestry with livestock production through pasture establishment, forage harvesting, and hay baling\u2014showing how improved fodder systems can serve as an entry point for wider adoption of agroforestry practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n