Agroforestry solutions to some African wind problems

Abstract

The Traditional Techniques of Microclimate Improvement-Project was in several cases called upon to find urgently required local solutions to problems caused by wind in Africa, using trees in an agroforestry setting. In Sudan, this was related to wind-induced sand encroachment towards an irrigated area, which could be solved by a shelterbelt. Also, sand settlement by trees and grasses in the source area was researched. In Nigeria, land reclaimed from desertification by multiple shelterbelts had to be brought again into agricultural use under conditions of hot dry winds. In Kenya, mulched intercropping had to be practised under conditions of strong winds, which was made possible by applying hedges all around and intercropped trees. Reductions of strong winds were also studied in north Tanzania with a sufficient and an insufficient density of scattered trees for soil protection. Keeping shade trees appeared necessary for wind protection of coffee on the slopes of the Kilimanjaro, also in northern Tanzania.