Exploring constraints and incentives for the adoption of agroforestry practices on degraded cropland in Uzbekistan

Abstract

Agroforestry is often an economically viable land-use option for the environmental rehabilitation of salinized cropping areas in irrigated drylands, but afforestation initiative at the farm level is subject to various socio-political constraints. We analyzed the factors that affect farmer decisions with respect to the agroforestry adoption using an ex ante approach through Ethnographic Decision Tree Modeling (EDTM). Constraints on agroforestry adoption were identified via a review of legal documents, focus-group discussions, and a farm survey in northwest Uzbekistan. The findings highlighted the importance of farmer perceptions of risk with respect to decision making surrounding the adoption of alternative land uses. The EDTM analysis allowed determining those policy incentives for afforestation that could directly influence the decision-making process of potential participants. In particular, there is a need for increased land-use flexibility, improved land tenure and tree plantation proprietorship security, increased awareness raising and training in agroforestry practices, and greater institutional support.

Keywords:

• afforestation
• Clean Development Mechanism
• decision-making process
• ethnographic decision tree
• ex ante assessment

Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledge the support of the Robert Bosch Foundation for enabling this study within the framework of the “Opportunities for climate change mitigation through afforestation of degraded croplands in Central Asia” research project. We thank the participating farmers for their cooperation and contributions. The constructive advice of four anonymous referees is much appreciated.

Notes

1. In November/December 2008, January/February 2009, and early 2011 farmland that had been subdivided into 10–25 ha plots after the independence was reconsolidated into 80–150 ha plots (Djanibekov et al. 2010; Eichholz et al. 2012).

2. In general state recognition of low productivity on degraded croplands is reflected in Resolution No. PP-725 of 5 November 2007 “Regarding measures for the support of farm enterprises that produce agricultural products for state needs on low productive lands.”

3. More information at http://cdm.unfccc.int/Reference/Guidclarif/index.html.

4. Titled “Reforestation and afforestation in Jomboy and Zamin forestry.”

5. More information at http://www.mineconomy.uz/cdm/en/node/31.

6. Indicated in the Annual Report 2011 and Action Plan 2012 of the Khorezm branch of the FA.