Emphasis has also been put on the role of indigenous knowledge and the participation of farmers in the development and dissemination of agroforestry technologies. Farmer-networks and the production of training materials is very effective. Our experience however, suggests that small scale farmers need simple technologies based primarily on their own internal resources. They need to be involved right from the beginning in redefining the proper methods and in adapting them to local needs and circumstances. By careful planning and by providing the right incentive, selected farmers can be used to disseminate information about agroforestry to their colleaques.
Farmers take time to support each other.