Agroforestry has long been recognized for its potential as a stable and sustainable production system and for its potential contribution to broader agricultural systems. Agroforestry can extend the amount of time that a given area can be productive, improve livelihoods, and contribute to forest and biodiversity conservation. Constraints to agroforestry systems include high interest rates, unclear institutional responsibilities, limiting policy frameworks, poorly developed markets, and inadequate research and extension. Support to agroforestry needs to address this broad range of issues, within flexible program designs. Agroforestry investments present opportunities to address NRM and agricultural needs through on-farm and off-farm tree production (box 5.17). Agroforestry investments have been accepted as an appropriate investment area for many years, and they frequently are combined with other rural development activities. Generally, agroforestry investments aim either at ensuring environmental sustainability through the conservation of soil or forests or at reducing poverty by generating new income opportunities. Agroforestry Investments Box 5.17 Agroforestry defined The World Agroforestry Centre defines agroforestry as “a dynamic, ecologically based, natural resources management system that, through the integration of trees on farms and in the agricultural landscape, diversifies and sustains production for increased social, economic and environmental benefits for land users at all levels.” Source: World Agroforestry Centre |
Agroforestry investments can take one of two forms: simultaneous agroforestry, in which trees are intercropped with crops or livestock, and sequential agroforestry, in which trees and crops are rotated. There is a broad range of specific investment choices representing different agroforestry technologies, including: Boundary planting. Trees are planted as living fences along field borders to provide fodder and limit soil erosion and water runoff.
Hedgerow intercropping. Leguminous, nitrogen-fixing trees are planted in rows, interspersed with rows of crops in areas where fallow periods are not possible.
Parkland system. Trees and crops are grown together, with trees acting as a permanent upper canopy providing shade or protection from wind.
Silvopastoral system. Trees are planted on pastureland to provide shade and forage for grazing livestock.
Home gardens. Trees are planted for productive purposes within small plots with other crops, including vegetables, fodder, grains, herbs, and medicinal plants.
Multistrata system. Trees and crops are interplanted with multiple tree species maturing at different rates and occupying different canopy positions.
Improved fallow. Tree species are planted either just before or just after crops have been harvested in areas entering a fallow cycle.
Taungya system. Trees are intercropped with other crops until the trees become mature, at which point cultivation of the other crops is abandoned.
Relay cropping. Trees and crops are planted together with planting dates staggered such that crops mature before trees become very large at the end of the rainy season.
  
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