Implementing an Extension Agroforestry Systems Program to Replace Low Productivity Crops on Hillsides in Honduras

Abstract

This paper describes the methodology followed by the Honduran Agricultural Research Foundation (FHIA) when implementing an income generating project that improved the quality of life of 445 poor, rural producers (including 95 women) of the hillside and piedmont areas of the Honduran north coast and at the same time protected and maintained the natural resource base of the area. As a result of these programming efforts, a total of 2,450 rural family members now have increased their yearly incomes from an average of $400 / hectare to approximately US$2,500 per hectare utilizing perennial crops alone. These new plantings in most cases only took up about one-half of the land area for a family; therefore, they still had ample room to produce their own basic commodities for home consumption. Important lessons learned are also described so that other organizations might be able to replicate these positive results.