Oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) has become the most important oil crop throughout the world. The growing palm oil production was mainly based on the expansion of cultivated area into forest areas, causing serious environmental and social concerns. Increasing yields on existing plantations is a potential pathway to reduce the undesired ecological impacts of oil palm agriculture while enhancing its social benefits. Although oil palm production is still dominated by large private estates, smallholder farmers are increasingly engaging in its cultivation.

This manual sets out the steps to guide rural advisory and agricultural extension workers to successfully integrate trees in rice-field and associated farms and landscapes using practical tools for implementing agroforestry practices on farms in Southeast Asia. Developed in collaboration by FAO with CIFOR-ICRAF, the manual builds on manifold experiences, consultations, and visits, especially in Indonesia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR), the Philippines and Thailand. The FFS approach is introduced as one of the best ways to share learning and knowledge and to discover technologies.

This document highlight good practices and case studies on integrating scientific and indigenous knowledge in FFS for climate resilience, while also exploring the challenges and opportunities in improving access to climate information at the community level.

Presentation

The Science Field Shops: Institutionalizing Response Farming to Climate Change

By Yunita T. Winarto, Professor of Anthropology, Universitas Indonesia and Sue Walker, Professor and Agrometeorologist, University of the Free State & Agricultural Research Council (South Africa)