Background

The first phase of Trees for Food Security project demonstrated the importance of trees in fields and farming landscapes for enhancing and sustaining crop yield and food security in Eastern Africa. Promising climate smart agroforestry practices were developed, improving crop yield and in the longer-term soil health, water use efficiency, carbon storage and livelihood outcomes. The use of Agricultural Production Systems Simulator (APSIM) model enabled the capacity to reliably predict tree and crop yields across a range of soil and climate. Findings from the project revealed that farmers want greater diversity of trees on their farms than had been previously appreciated.

The second phase of the project continues and builds on the activities from the previous phase. It focuses on tree diversity as the cornerstone of smallholder system intensification and integrating tree management with value chain development, better water management and new approaches to govern livestock management.

The project aims to improve food security and smallholder livelihoods through the widespread adoption of appropriate locally adapted agroforestry practices in key agricultural landscapes in Eastern Africa.

Project sites: They include three districts in Rwanda (Bugesera, Nyabihu and Rubavu); seven districts in Ethiopia (six in Oromia region and one in Tigray region); and three districts in Uganda (Manafwa, Bududa and Mbale).

Main objectives

1. To enhance knowledge of the impact of tree cover change on crop productivity, water, nutrients and livelihoods
2. To integrate appropriate water management technologies and sustainable grazing options with promotion of agroforestry
3. To establish communities of practice in the promotion of locally adaptable agroforestry options supported by appropriate inputs systems
4. To strengthen smallholders and other market actors’ ability to participate effectively and profitably in tree product value chains
5. To strengthen capacity of academic institutions in developing and implementing innovative agroforestry curricula

Research strategy

The project develops a range of site-specific agroforestry interventions, founded on research and farmer interaction, and works with development partners as well as policy actors to facilitate their widespread testing, refinement and adoption.

In response to feedback from farmers within the previous research phase, the project integrates specific components on water management, access to credit, and value chain development to address the needs of farmers for integrated solutions rather than only promoting single components.

Progress and Achievements

2021

2019

2018