This paper summarizes the findings of three ex-ante studies,
from Malawi, Zimbabwe and Zambia, that examined
the potential for adoption of agroforestry technologies
should they be extended to farmers. Ethnographic linear
programme modelling of households in all three locations
shows that the potential adoption of these technologies
depends on household composition, farm size, and availability
of draft power. Results show that both male and
female headed households can adopt the technology. A
seed selling incentive enhanced adoption through augmenting
household income and benefited farmers by increasing
funds available for discretionary use. In Zimbabwe
there was a greater increase in discretionary cash for
draft animal owners than non-owners. It is concluded that
in Southern Africa, improved fallows are a viable alternative
to chemical fertilizer use for small farmers.