Agroforestry and Sustainable Upland Development

Agroforestry Definition

• Agroforestry is a farming practice that integrates trees into agricultural landscapes.

Tree-Crop Production Examples

• Agroforestry involves tree-crop production, where trees are grown alongside crops, providing shade, improving soil health, and increasing biodiversity.
• Examples of tree-crop production in agroforestry include:
  • Coffee and banana trees grown together
  • Cocoa and fruit trees grown together

Scales of Agroforestry

• The interaction between trees and agriculture is important at multiple scales in agroforestry, including:
  • Local scale: individual farms and landscapes
  • Regional scale: watersheds and ecosystems
  • Global scale: climate regulation and biodiversity conservation

Objectives of Agroforestry

• One of the primary objectives of agroforestry is to promote ecological interactions between trees and crops to enhance agricultural productivity and environmental sustainability.

Benefits of Trees in Agroforestry

• Trees in agroforestry provide several benefits, including:
  • Soil erosion prevention
  • Microclimate regulation
  • Shade provision
  • Pollination and pest control
  • Increased crop yields and biodiversity