Dudukuhan Tree Farming Systems in West Java: How to Mobilize Self-Strengthening of Community-Based Forest Management? - Smallholder Tree Growing for Rural Development and Environmental Services - page 107

efficient extension approach designed to reach motivated and innovative farmers
who are committed to improve their incomes by increasing the production and
market access for their agroforestry products. Such an approach was developed and
implemented by ICRAF and Winrock International in Nanggung through the
Agroforestry Innovations and Livelihood Enhancement in West Java Program
(Roshetko et al. 2004). The extension approach is based on providing a series of
workshop trainings to farmer leaders and more intensive follow up assistance to
farmer groups that these leaders have helped to organize. The workshop trainings
provide farmer leaders with the capacity to analyze existing conditions and prob-
lems, identify technical options, and set work agendas. Workshops are participa-
tory, relying on the knowledge of farmer and farmer specialists, augmented by input
from technical specialists. Farmer leaders identify workshop topics and are respon-
sible to share workshop information and results with their farmer groups. Further
follow-up assistance is provide through a number of channels, most commonly the
work agendas develop during workshops, weekly farmer group meetings, occa-
sional subject specific farmer group meetings, and informal daily contact between
farmers. The approach and activities are based on active farmer participation and
leadership that emphasize farmer to farmer extension and input from farmer spe-
cialists. The approach is flexible and dynamic, adjusting to the actual conditions of
and priorities set by farmer participants. It is informal, impact-oriented and avoids
wasting resources and time by keeping structure and process simple and straight-
forward (Roshetko et al. 2006).
Marketing is frequently a priority topic identified by farmer leaders. Rapid mar-
ket studies are a valuable tool to assist farmers: (i) identify the species and products
that hold potential for them; (ii) identify existing and potential market channels for
their products; (iii) identify the marketing problems faced by themselves and
market agents; (iv) enhance their understanding of market mechanisms; and
(v) identifies opportunities to improve the quality and quality of their products and
expand their marketing role. These studies could include cross-visits and training
activities to develop relationships between farmer groups and market agents
(Roshetko et al. 2006).
Extension and market activities are integrated and implemented to develop good
management practices to improve system productivity and product marketability to
enhance livelihoods and income generation. This process requires farmers to:
(1) focus on a limited number of tree species that are appropriate for local biophysical
conditions and a high market value/demand; (2) utilize high quality germplasm
(provenances, clones, and seed source) to increase productivity and profitability;
(3) manage the dudukuhans to yield tree products that meet market specifications
and conservation controls; and (4) develop permanent market linkages. Through
deliberate management, polyculture tree gardens can be developed based on four or
five priority tree species - which yield products with high market values, but also
contain a number of other valuable species, both indigenous and exotic, to serve
household needs and reduce risks.
Roshetko et al. (2004) noted that utilization of the farmer extension approach
discussed above empowered farmers to independently seek assistance and develop