The decline in soil fertility in smallholder systems is a major factor inhibiting
equitable development in much of sub-Saharan Africa. Some areas fallow in order to
strength soil fertility for later planting, but as populations increase, demand follows. and
continuous cropping becomes the norm and there is a reduction in yields.
This case study summarizes the development of improved tree fallows by
researchers and farmers in eastern Zambia to help solve the problem of poor soil fertility.
Many farmers are finding that by using improved fallows, they can substitute relatively
small amounts of land and labor for cash, which they would need to buy mineral
fertilizer.
The study has three phases: the historical background (phase 1); an assessment of
problems, description of the technology, and how it was developed (phase 2); and how
the improved fallows practices were disseminated and spread (phase 3). This paper will
describe each phase, the goals, and results