Guidelines for Extension Agents on Establishing and Improving Agroforestry Systems and Management in Sri Lanka: Version 1

This technical manual developed to strengthen the capacity of extension agents, farmers, and land managers in designing, establishing, and improving climate-resilient agroforestry systems across Sri Lanka’s diverse agroecological zones. Produced by World Agroforestry (ICRAF) under the Green Climate Fund-supported Knuckles Project, the publication presents agroforestry as a key climate-smart agriculture strategy capable of simultaneously improving productivity, strengthening adaptation to climate change, and contributing to climate change mitigation. The manual provides practical guidance on agroforestry principles, species selection, farm design, homegarden management, smallholder and plantation agroforestry systems, and strategies to enhance adoption. It highlights how agroforestry can diversify income sources, improve food security, conserve biodiversity, regulate water resources, increase soil fertility, reduce erosion, and sequester carbon, while also addressing climate-related challenges such as droughts, floods, extreme temperatures, and changing rainfall patterns. Drawing on scientific evidence, local knowledge, stakeholder consultations, and examples from Sri Lanka, the manual outlines criteria, indicators, and step-by-step approaches for establishing and improving agroforestry systems tailored to local environmental and socio-economic conditions. It also emphasizes participatory planning, gender-responsive management, extension services, and monitoring frameworks to support long-term adoption and sustainability. Overall, the publication serves as a practical resource to promote resilient land-use systems that strengthen livelihoods while enhancing ecosystem health and climate resilience throughout Sri Lanka.

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This works is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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