Abstract

Traditionally, African farmers let their land lie fallow in order to recover fertility. Today, the practice has lost much of its effectiveness due to population pressure and the disappearance of some of the plant species that made fallow effective. However, improved fallow remains an attractive option for enhancing soil fertility because it is based on the natural recycling of nutrients and requires little or no inputs. This grant will contribute to the organization of the Third International Symposium on Science and Practice of Short Term Improved Fallow in Humid and Sub Humid Tropics, to be held in Lilongwe, Malawi, 11-15 March 1997. The discussions will cover: traditional fallow and indigenous knowledge; research and development on improved fallow; how and where fallow works; and policy requirements for the adoption of fallow practices. The grant will also support the participation costs of African professionals.

Recipient Institution(s)