Agroforestry (Synecoculture)

Overview

The technology diploma (DUT) in agroforestry trains field technicians who can put agroforestry practices into action. Students learn to raise seedlings in a nursery, establish live hedges, windbreaks and parkland trees, and apply soil and water conservation techniques.

The program includes synecoculture: a method that grows many plant species together at high density, without tillage or chemical inputs, to rebuild productive ecosystems. Very practical, it prepares students to work with farmers and on reforestation projects.

Objectives

• Raise forest and fruit tree seedlings.
• Establish and maintain agroforestry features.
• Combat erosion and land degradation.
• Raise farmers' awareness of agroforestry practices.

Target skills

• Run a nursery, from seed to seedling.
• Carry out grafting and cuttings.
• Build stone bunds, half-moons and zaï pits.
• Maintain plantations.
• Run demonstrations for farmers.

Curriculum

First year (S1-S2): botany, ecology, soil science, basic agronomy, nursery techniques, computing.

Second year (S3-S4): silviculture, fruit tree growing, agroforestry systems and synecoculture, soil and water conservation, extension, field internship.

Indicative curriculum: the distribution of courses may change from one academic year to the next.

Career opportunities

• Agroforestry technician
• Nursery worker
• Reforestation officer
• Soil conservation project facilitator

Career outcomes also depend on internship experience and each student's career plans.