What is "Argoforestry Farming?"

That's a good question!  It's something new that Joseph and Marusu taught a group of 31 new families during agriculture and veterinary trainings in December. 

Joseph described it for families like this during the training:
These are the techniques which involve the intercropping of trees and field crops on the same piece of land.  The trees are grown to provide timber, firewood, fruits, and fodder for livestock.  An indigenous pesticide, trees end up improving soil quality.  The trees provide additional nitrogen for corn and other annual plants.  The main benefits from agroforestry are in terms of soil and water conservation. 

Families have already been taught to contour the land, that is make rows of hills and valleys with the soil, so that rain water collects in the valleys and crops are planted on the hills.  The trees would be planted along the contour lines.  In time, this practice would allow families to get timber, firewood, possibly fruits, and crops from the same plot of land.  Argoforestry also recommends using organic fertilizers such as from goats, which families are already doing.  This practice could open up many hours that are currently lost as families go in search of good land to find feed for their animals or collect firewood.  This time could be used in other income producing activities for families that already have several demands on their time and energy just to survive.

Another topic that was covered during the training was the planting of alternative crops that are more resistant to drought.  Sorghum and Sunflowers are 2 such plants. They don't need much rain and are prolific plants that are ready to harvest about 3 months after planting and offer high yields.  Lab lab plants also are high producers and are a good cover crop that play an important role in soil conservation measures.  Seeds for all 3 of these plants are distributed to families during their training time.