Smallholder Tree Growing in South and Southeast Asia - Smallholder Tree Growing for Rural Development and Environmental Services - page 1

Chapter 1
Smallholder Tree Growing in South
and Southeast Asia
D.J. Snelder 1 * and R.D. Lasco 2
Abstract This chapter sketches the context of this topic. It addresses the questions
why we focus on smallholder tree growing and why we discuss the Philippines as
main case study country. Relevant background information related to the afore-
mentioned questions is given, including a historical sketch on smallholder forest
management and the development of concepts on smallholder tree growing in
South and Southeast Asia, a review of farmers' motivations and other controlling
factors affecting tree growing activities, and a discussion on the need for sustain-
able land use and, related to this, recognition of farmers' potential to produce wood
and provide other forest benefits and ecological services. The chapter ends with an
overview of the different sections under which the various chapters in this topic
have been arranged.
Keywords small-scale reforestation, tree plantation, tree management, forestry
concepts
1.1 Introduction
The protection, planting, exploitation and management of forest and tree resources
are activities that have a long history in most Asian cultures. Tree growing is part of
traditional land use in both tropical dry and wet zones. In recent years, the role of
smallholder communities in the management and protection of remaining forests is
regaining importance in government policies and programs in Asia and elsewhere.