Rural Industries Research & Development Corporation

Research Compendium 1993 - 1994

Research Project

TEACHING AND RESEARCH IN AGROFORESTRY

Objective

To provide a stimulus to the development of teaching and research in agroforestry in Australia by presenting a course of lectures at each of our four universities, and advising on the development of agroforestry teaching and research.

Background

Agroforestry is an emerging technology in Australia with potential benefits to productivity and sustainability of agricultural and pastoral systems. A number of universities are developing courses and research programs in the area and encountering predictable difficulties.

On the one hand, development is restricted by a shortage of published information and trained staff. On the other hand, there is the long-term nature of field research in agroforestry that makes the selection, establishment, and maintenance of research sites difficult and expensive. Researchers and funding bodies must develop confidence that research objectives and plans for implementation are optimally chosen to justify the time and resource involved.

Research

Professor Peter Huxley of Oxford, England (formerly Director of Research at ICRAF, Nairobi, Kenya) was engaged on a ten-week consultancy. He presented a public lecture and an intensive short course on agroforestry over two-week periods at the Universities of Melbourne, New England, Western Sydney, and Adelaide. During those visits he also discussed research activities and plans, and visited experimental sites. The final two weeks was spent at the University of Melbourne where he prepared the report of the project.

Outcome

• Specific recommendations for each of the four universities involved in the project.
• Proposed syllabus for third or fourth year elective subject in agroforestry.
• Structure for an undergraduate program in agroforestry.
• Improved contact between academics and scientists involved in agroforestry in Australia.
• Bibliographies of useful international publications in agroforestry.
• Impetus to develop integrated course material suitable for Australian students.
• Encouragement to undergraduate students of the opportunities, challenges and importance of postgraduate training in agroforestry.

RIRDC Project No: UM-15A

RESEARCHER: Professor D J Connor

ORGANISATIONS: VIC Department of Agriculture

PHONE: 03 344 5019

Last updated: 10 October 1996
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http://www.rirdc.gov.au/pub/compendium/93-94/index-b.html