Agroforestry

Agroforestry is a land management system that combines agriculture and forestry for multiple benefits, such as enhanced yields, increased biodiversity, improved soil health, reduced erosion, and carbon sequestration. Agroforestry shares principles with intercropping but can also involve complex multi-strata agroforests containing hundreds of species. The scientific basis for agroforestry lies in agroecology, which encompasses diverse applications such as improved nutrient and carbon cycling, water retention of soils, biodiverse habitats, protection from pests, diseases, and weed outbreaks, and protection of soils from water and wind erosion. Agroforestry systems can be advantageous over conventional agricultural and forest production methods, offering increased productivity, social, economic, and environmental benefits, as well as greater diversity in the ecological goods and services provided. Biodiversity in agroforestry systems is typically higher than in conventional agricultural systems. Agroforestry systems can provide a number of ecosystem services that contribute to sustainable agriculture, such as carbon sequestration, cleaner water, and nutrient uptake. Agroforestry can help to conserve biodiversity, having a positive influence on other ecosystem services. Agroforestry can significantly contribute to climate change mitigation along with adaptation benefits. Agroforestry practices may realize a number of environmental goals, such as soil and plant growth, weed control, and adaptation to climate change. Agroforestry has been adopted in various regions worldwide, such as tropical agroforestry, hillside systems, shade crops, crop-over-tree systems, intercropping, alley cropping, Taungya, and Itteri agroforestry. The USDA distinguishes five applications of agroforestry for temperate climates, such as alley cropping and strip cropping, fauna-based systems, boundary systems, and silvopasture.Agroforestry in the United States: Obstacles and Solutions

• Agroforestry systems are not widely adopted in the US.
• The lack of awareness and knowledge about agroforestry is a major obstacle.
• The absence of financial incentives and technical assistance is also a major obstacle.
• The current agricultural policies and regulations discourage agroforestry adoption.
• The development of educational programs and demonstration projects could help overcome these obstacles.
• The integration of agroforestry into existing conservation programs could also help.
• The promotion of agroforestry through marketing and labeling could create demand for agroforestry products.
• The development of agroforestry cooperatives could help small farmers access markets.
• The creation of a national agroforestry policy could facilitate the adoption of agroforestry.
• The US Forest Service has a program to promote agroforestry.
• The USDA has a program to provide technical assistance and financial incentives for agroforestry.
• The Savanna Institute is a non-profit organization that promotes agroforestry in the Midwest.