Alley farming: A sustainable technology for crop and livestock production

Sustainable increase in agricultural production was achieved in the past through the use of bush fallow farming system. Extensive land use due to urbanization, increase in population and high farming population has led to reduction in fallow period. As a consequence, rapid deterioration of soil structure and declining productivity constitute major problems of agricultural productivity. Amid the efforts to increase agricultural productivity, many developing countries are concerned about the environmental effects of agricultural technologies. The focus is on sustainable agricultural technologies that can increase yield as well as regenerate soil fertility without fallow, This was achieved;through alley farming developed by researchers in the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in Ibadan, Nigeria. This paper examines the impact of alley farming on crop and livestock production. Surveys indicate that farmers are adopting the technology and that the initial adopters continue to use alley farming. Crop yields increased with alley farming and hedgerows reduced erosion and runoff. When prunings from Leucaena leucocephala and Gliricidia sepium planted in alley farms were fed to cattle and ruminant animals, there was increased survival and body weight. Moreover, dairy cow milk production increased significantly. Constraints to alley farming adoption include lack of knowledge about its benefits and lack of money. The paper concludes with suggestions for effective extension of alley farming to enhance adoption.