Can integration of trees and crops contribute to enhanced agricultural productivity, resource utilisation and livelihoods for smallholder farmers? An evaluation of the multifunctionality of agroforestry systems
More trees are needed on farms and in agricul – tural landscapes to produce firewood, timber, fodder, food, and to alleviate erosion and other environmental problems. Trees will also contri – bute to sequester carbon, build soil fertility and restore other ecosystem services, as well as contri – bute to climate change adaptation. This project has investigated whether the integration of trees in crop and livestock production can contribute to enhance agricultural productivity and resource utilization, and thereby contribute to improved living conditions for smallholders. We have evalu – ated the productivity and multi-functionality of agroforestry systems at different scales (field, farm, landscape) by empirical studies (measurements, sampling, interviews), and have surveyed farmers’ strategies to adapt to climate change. We have also studied which soil properties are required for Allanblackia , an African tree with oil-rich fruits that are now being domesticated to be grown by smallholder farmers, to thrive. The results show that in the study areas, farmers are integrating trees into their production systems in order to get products and services including increased adap – tion capacity to climate change. They use a variety of tree species that have different functions in order to obtain synergies and reduce trade-offs with other farm components. This has been a collabo – rative project between SLU and partners in Kenya ( Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, the Vi Agroforestry and the World Agroforestry Centre-ICRAF). Two PhD students have participated in this work and several student and educational projects have been implemented. We have also participated in conferences and orga – nized courses for advisors, farmers’ organizations and farmers
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Authors
Öborn I
Publication year
2022
