Introduction to Agroforestry

Trees play a crucial role in almost all terrestrial ecosystems and provide a range of products and services to rural and urban people. As natural vegetation is cleared for agriculture and other types of development, the benefits that trees provide are best sustained by integrating trees into agriculturally productive landscapes — a practice known as agroforestry.

Farmers have practised agroforestry for years. Agroforestry focuses on the wide range of working trees grown on farms and in rural landscapes. Among these are fetilizer trees for land regeneration, soil health and food security; fruit trees for nutrition; fodder trees that improve smallholder livestock production; timber and fuelwood trees for shelter and energy; medicinal trees to combat disease; and trees that produce gums, resins or latex products.  Many of these trees are multipurpose, providing a range of benefits.

Proven impacts of agroforestry  Reducing poverty through increased production of agroforestry products for home consumption and sale. Contributing to food security by restoring farm soil fertility for food crops and production of fruits, nuts and edible oils. Ensuring, through negotiation support, a fairer deal for women farmers and other less-advantaged rural residents whose rights to land are insecure. Reducing deforestation and pressure on woodlands by providing fuelwood grown on farms. Increasing diversity of on-farm tree crops and tree cover to buffer farmers against the effects of global climate change. Improving nutrition to lessen the impacts of hunger and chronic illness associated with HIV/AIDS. Augmenting accessibility to medicinal trees, the main source of medication for 80% of Africa’s population.