FARMER COSTS AND BENEFITS FROM AGROFORESTRY AND FARM FORESTRY PROJECTS IN CENTRAL-AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN - IMPLICATIONS FOR POLICY

This paper presents results of an evaluation of the benefits provided by agroforestry and farm forestry projects in Central America and the Caribbean, and the policy implications. Tree planting provided financi al benefits to farmers, as well as social, economic and environmental benefits. These justify policy interventions to explicitly recognize t he potential of on-farm tree-planting efforts and provide a policy env ironment favorable to such efforts. New or revised policies are needed , particularly in a period of declining public budgets, to limit exter nal incentives to in-kind inputs, rather than financial subsidies; pro mote market development for tree products; adopt low-cost, community-b ased extension strategies; focus research support; and reduce regulato ry disincentives.