According to the food and agricultural organization, “ Agroforestry can be defined as a dynamic, ecologically based, natural resource management system that, through the integration of trees on farms and in the agricultural landscape, diversifies and sustains production for increased social, economic and environmental benefits for land users at all levels.”.
It is a system of land use that incorporates trees and shrubs into agricultural landscapes and farms to support sustainable farming practices and to produce food, fuel, fodder, and lumber. In addition to supplying fiber and fertilizer functions, it also has nutritional value and a reliable farming environment.
Why is agroforestry important?
Food security: through agroforestry there is expanded diversity and increased quality of production due to which there is variety in production with quality which provides the additional Food security.
Extra benefit: These supplementary plantings give nutrients as well as protection for crops from winds, storms, and harm. It serves as a refuge and a source of Food for animals.
Reduce risks: Its greater diversity lowers the likelihood of economic failure. These trees help promote soil strength, fertility, and landslide prevention. Additionally, It stops desertification and all of Its negative social, agricultural, and environmental effects.
Environmental benefits: It improves soil quality, improves microclimate, retains soil structure, prevents water run-off, provides a suitable environment for animals and plants, and better ecologic systems.
How is climate change related to agroforestry?
Carbon sequestration: trees help store carbon from the atmosphere and act as carbon sinks and can help us reverse the climate crisis.
Soil health: Agroforestry increases soil fertility and structure, which reduces soil carbon emissions into the atmosphere.
Increased efficiency: A combination of higher output and efficiency, together with high-quality produce, has minimized environmental harm. Decreasing resource use and waste as a result.
Which are the agroforestry practices?
Agrisilvicultural systems, also known as sustainable agroforestry, are ones in which crops are grown with trees planted in several rows.
Silvopastoral systems, also known as agrosilvopastoral agroforestry, integrated the production of fodder and animals with trees.
agrosylvopastoral systems, which integrate trees, animals, and crops
Which are the plants grown
It consists woody plants like, bamboo, timber, palm etc along with fruit plants like apple and apricot.
