The Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR and World Agroforestry (ICRAF) joined forces in 2019, leveraging a combined 65 years’ experience in research on the role of forests and trees in solving critical global challenges.
CIFOR-ICRAF researchers in Brazil present learning from demonstration sites in the Amazon region.
Agroforestry systems appear to be a satisfactory alternative to monocultural plantations of oil palm in Brazil. Research conducted by CIFOR-ICRAF scientists alongside researchers from Wageningen University, Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa), Agroecological Cooperative Organization (OCA) and Federal University of Viçosa (UFV) shows the potential of diversified plantations for increasing the resilience of systems, enhancing environmental benefits and reducing risks to farmers.
The studies were presented at the 5th World Congress on Agroforestry: Transitioning to a Viable World, held in Québec City, Canada as well as in virtual mode, 12–22 July 2022.
One of the studies focused on the initial results of co-designed oil-palm agroforestry demonstration sites established in 2017/2018 in Tomé-Açu, Pará State, Eastern Brazilian Amazon, in partnership with Natura.
Globally, palm oil is mainly produced in monocultural plantations, which can be highly productive but are also associated with negative socio-environmental impacts. Based on an action research approach, oil-palm agroforestry was piloted on a limited scale and tested on eight smallholders’ farms in Brazil, totalling 30 hectares. The study aimed to assess the social, financial and environmental feasibility of oil-palm agroforestry in order to present pathways for scaled-up implementation.
The financial feasibility of seven demonstration sites was also assessed using AMAZONSAF, an Excel-based tool that enables cash-flow analysis and financial projections for 25 years. The socio-environmental indicators were appraised through another participatory tool called PLANTSAFS.
The oil-palm agroforestry systems performed well in basic financial indicators (Net Present Value, Payback, Benefit/Cost Ratio, Internal Rate of Return and Return to Labour), with values comparable or superior to conventional monocultural systems, suggesting their financial feasibility.
Similarly, ecological indicators (species’ diversity, abundance, mulch) suggest a high degree of species’ and functional diversity, although results varied widely depending on the system. Overall, farmers’ adoption and satisfaction were also deemed high.
Challenges in public policies for agroforestry
CIFOR-ICRAF researchers also looked into the legal mechanisms related to agroforestry and restoration in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest and the Amazon biomes. Martin Meier (CIFOR-ICRAF Brazil and OCA), Saulo de Souza, Jimi Amaral, Henrique Marques and Andrew Miccolis (CIFOR-ICRAF Brazil) alongside Heitor Mancini Teixeira (Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development, Utrecht University) showed that although Brazil had several laws and decrees that gave substantial legal support to enhancing conservation of forests and restoration of degraded land, there was a lack of public policies to implement measures.
Another study showed that agroforestry systems are a promising strategy in Brazil. They are incentivized by legal regulations, with the potential to maintain ecological functions while serving as sources of income for farmers.
Both studies had in common the conclusion that agroforestry systems can provide the means for simultaneously addressing mitigation of climate change and food security and nutrition. Oil-palm agroforestry seemed highly attractive to family farmers as long as it was implemented with flexibility and farmers’ involvement in the design process.
Carbon projects in agroforestry
In addressing mitigation of climate change and food security and nutrition, agroforestry systems also rate highly regarding carbon storage. Voluntary carbon markets in the forestry and land-use category have hit new records of traded volume in recent years. A few challenges to lasting success have persisted, though. Low carbon credit prices, abatement and transaction costs have hindered the development of carbon projects, especially with smallholders.
In Brazil, carbon projects appear to have the potential to make smallholding carbon trading feasible and sustainable through the application of agroecological principles. It was observed that smallholders might be willing to participate in carbon projects if their needs were fulfilled by co-benefits, either as better access to water and food or through direct or indirect economic returns, which could offset the opportunity costs. Increasing the number of farmers participating may reduce the fixed costs of carbon projects.
‘Regarding soil carbon, it is important to note that only long-term management practices have influence over this soil attribute, mostly if greater soil depths are addressed,’ wrote Martin Meier, Saulo de Souza, Jimi Amaral, Henrique Marques, Andrew Miccolis (CIFOR-ICRAF Brazil) and Gustavo Veloso Lucas de Carvalho Gomes (Federal University of Viçosa).
The work aimed to elucidate soil variability in relation to soil carbon in recently implemented agroforestry systems by using regional values observed in the Radar in the Amazon (RADAM Brazil) project in the Northeast Amazon. Organic Carbon (CO) analyzed in agroforestry areas was compared to the mean values from all results obtained in RADAM. The soil depths analyzed were 0–20 cm and 20–40 cm. Results showed that the percentage of CO was 38% higher at both depths in agroforestry systems compared to the average RADAM results in the soils of Pará State.
Agroforestry systems have the potential to maintain ecological functions and provide other services, such as income generation and food security. Add to this the promising results regarding carbon storage and we can see that agroforestry is also consolidating as a strategy to improve soil carbon through correct and sustainable management.
World Agroforestry (ICRAF) is a centre of scientific and development excellence that harnesses the benefits of trees for people and the environment. Knowledge produced by ICRAF enables governments, development agencies and farmers to utilize the power of trees to make farming and livelihoods more environmentally, socially and economically sustainable at multiple scales. ICRAF is one of the 15 members of the CGIAR, a global research partnership for a food-secure future. We thank all donors who support research in development through their contributions to the CGIAR Fund.