Incorporating agroforestry practices in the management of walnut plantations in Dauphiné, France: an analysis of farmers‘ motivations |
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| Authors: | F Mary C Dupraz E Delannoy F Liagre |
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| Institution: | (1) Centre National d‘Etudes Agronomiques des Régions Chaudes (CNEARC), 1101, Avenue d‘Agropolis, BP 5098, 34033 Montpellier, France;(2) INRA-Lepse, 2 place Viala, 34060 Montpellier, France;(3) 6, rue des rocailles, 34880 Montpellier, France;(4) ARTEC, Calle Acequia Alta 79, 35400 Arucas, Las Palmas, Spain |
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| Abstract: | The Dauphiné province in south-eastern France is a major area for walnut orchards. Growers manage their orchards with some
specific agroforestry features: grafted walnut trees may be pruned to form a bottom log with a timber end use (dual purpose
trees), and intercrops may be grown between the tree lines. These agroforestry practices are however only partially adopted.
Three surveys were conducted in 1993, 1995 and 1996 to elicit the farmer motivations for adopting or rejecting agroforestry
management features. The walnut industry is a key activity in two parts of Dauphiné: the Isère valley, and the Diois basin.
The reasons for adoption of agroforestry practices are discussed. In the Isère valley, the priority is given to walnut production
in specialised farms, and the extension services are opposed to agroforestry practices. In the dryer Diois area, the main
explanations for agroforestry adoption were the welfare of the farmer family, the age of the farm manager, and the contribution
of walnut production to the family income. Dual purpose management schemes were characterised by extended investment return
delays, but proved to be the most rewarding schemes when practised with intercrops. A very extensive tree management with
few pest control operations improved the profitability. Intensive orchards had a low bequest value at the time of inheritance,
in contrast to dual-purpose orchards. The age of the farmer at planting time appeared to be a key criterion for agroforestry
management adoption.
This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date. |
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| Keywords: | dual-purpose trees intercropping investment return delay Juglans life cycle analysis |
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