Scaling tree-based agroecological and nature-positive systems: Synthesis of gaps, gendered barriers and opportunities

Tree-based agroecological and nature-positive systems are increasingly recognized for their potential to restore degraded landscapes while enhancing livelihoods, biodiversity conservation, climate resilience, and food-system sustainability. However, evidence on institutional, gendered, and implementation barriers limiting their scaling remains fragmented. This study synthesizes lessons from two CGIAR initiatives in Kenya: the Nature-Positive Solutions (N+) project in Kisumu and Vihiga counties and the Agroecology Initiative (AE-I) in Kiambu and Makueni counties to identify gaps, constraints, and opportunities for scaling tree-based systems. The study applied a document-based analytical review of project reports, technical outputs, workshop proceedings, and published literature using the IUCN Global Standard for Nature-based Solutions (NbS) framework. Evidence was synthesized across three analytical phases: problem definition, intervention and implementation, and scaling. A total of 23 documents (11 N+ and 12 AE-I) focusing on tree-based systems and agroforestry were reviewed. Findings show that participatory approaches effectively identified declining tree cover, soil degradation, biodiversity loss, and climate vulnerability as interconnected drivers of landscape degradation. Farmers consistently recognized agroforestry, fruit trees, riparian restoration, and fodder species as viable restoration pathways. However, implementation gaps persisted as trees were often treated as supplementary activities rather than core restoration assets, while monitoring systems prioritized short-term outputs over ecological indicators such as tree survival, biodiversity recovery, soil carbon, and hydrological functions. Gender disparities further constrained scaling, with women participation being limited to off-farm activities pointing to barriers in land ownership, tree tenure, finance access, and benefit control despite substantial labour contributions. The study concludes that scaling tree-based systems is constrained more by institutional misalignments in governance, monitoring, financing, and tenure than by technical feasibility. Strengthening ecological monitoring, gender-responsive governance, and integration within county restoration frameworks is critical for landscape-scale agroecological transformation.

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