Taungya farming is a farming system that involves the combination of crop husbandry and forestry. It is a traditional agroforestry system that originated in Southeast Asia, but it is also practiced in other parts of the world, including Africa.
In Taungya farming, farmers cultivate crops such as maize, cassava, or beans between newly planted trees. The farmers plant the trees in rows and cultivate crops in between them during the first few years while the trees are still young and do not have a canopy. The crops provide an additional source of income for the farmers, while the trees provide environmental benefits such as soil conservation, carbon sequestration, and biodiversity conservation. After a few years, the trees grow to maturity, and the farmers can harvest them for timber or non-timber forest products.
In summary, Taungya farming involves the combination of crop husbandry and forestry, where farmers cultivate crops in between newly planted trees. This system provides environmental and economic benefits for the farmers and the environment.