Economic benefits that can accrue to the small farmer from incorporating trees in his farm system, and the economic constraints and costs he may face in doing so, are reviewed. Various economic considerations other than cash outlays and incomings, such as impact of risk, need to be taken into account. Issues are discussed that can arise in identifying, designing and implementing projects intended to help farmers to capture the economic potentials of agroforestry and to avoid or remove related economic impediments. Correct understanding of the factors which will affect the success of project interventions, valuation of the costs and benefits of trees as perceived by the farmer rather than by outsiders, distributional and equity issues, and identification of operational measures to ensure tangible short-term economic benefits are highlighted. The need for giving priority to research into the economic impacts of agroforestry practices on small farmer situations is stressed.
R~sum~. Les b~n6fices qui reviennent au petit fermier de par l'acquisition des arbres dans sa ferme, de m~me que les frais et contraintes ~conomiques auxquels il dolt faire face, ont 6t~ reconsid~r~s. Plusieurs probl~mes ~conomiques autres que d6penses et revenus, tel que le risque, doivent ~tre pris en consideration. Les questions 6manant de l'identffication, de l'6tude et de ha mise en oeuvre des projets qui aident le fermier s'accaparer des ressources 6conomiques de l'agro-foresterie et ~viter ou m~me 6carter les obstacles ~conomiques, ont ~t~ discut6es. Une juste interpretation des facteurs qui affecteront la r6ussite des projets a ~t~ mise en ~videnee, de m~me qu'une 6valuation des frais et des b~n~fices des arbres faite par le fermier lui-m~me plut6t que par des personnes de l'ext~rieur, les questions de r6partition et de justice et aussi l'identification des mesures op~rationelles pour assurer des b~n~fices ~ court terme. L'accent a ~t~ mis sur ha n~cessit~ de donner priorit~ h la recherche en ce qui concerne les consequences ~conomiques des petits fermiers dans la pratique de l'agro-foresterie.