Agroforestry remains an orphan in Africa, yet it is badly needed if the continent is to achieve a green revolution.

An article in the Daily Nation outlines how for Africa to achieve a green revolution in the face of climate change, an integrated approach to food production is needed; one which brings together agriculture, environment and agroforestry sectors.

Environmental forums such as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change will not bring about a green revolution, says the article, because law-makers from the energy and agriculture sectors in Africa are not involved in the negotiation process. Similarly, meetings of Ministers of Agriculture do not involve environment policy-makers.

Agroforestry, which has the potential to bring about increased crop yields in Africa when used as green fertilizers, and contribute to a green revolution, remains an orphan because many countries do not have national policies to govern the sector.

In Kenya, important bodies that represent all the three sectors – environment (United Nations Environment Programme), agroforestry (World Agroforestry Centre) and agriculture (Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa) - have made tremendous progress in their respective areas, though this has been in isolation.

It is time for the heads of these organizations to work together and with related government ministries, because “they hold the key to the much-awaited green revolution in Africa”.

Read the full story: Why Africa’s not about to experience a ‘green revolution’ soon