Agroforestry systems research: evolving concepts and approaches

The concept of agroforestry is shifting from a set of stand-alone field-based technologies to an emphasis on the role of trees in productive agroecosystems and landscapes. This shift is driving efforts by ICRAF to reform its research and development programs, regionalize its programs, and forge strategic partnerships from global to local levels. In partnership with the global ASB consortium, this new approach is being applied in the development of collaborative agroforestry systems research for montane mainland Southeast Asia conducted in northern Thailand. Steps have included characterizing the eco-regional context: establishing a partnership framework and a benchmark research site; identifying key driving forces, patterns of change, and policy- related issues; and building an action-oriented research strategy. The strategy includes analytical overlays that focus on food security, livelihoods, environmental services, and institutions. Activities conducted under each overlay employ approaches and tools that help integrate assessments at field, household & community, and landscape & watershed levels. Outputs focus on addressing strategic technological, institutional and policy needs required to achieve significant widespread improvement in the goods and services provided by agroforestry landscapes. This paper seeks to briefly summarize some of the major implications of recent shifts in conceptual, organizational and analytical approaches associated with research on agroforestry systems. Since a thorough review of the literature cannot be included here, several major review articles and books are cited for those wishing to further pursue conceptual shifts and issues associated with the rapidly expanding and evolving body of agroforestry literature. It is hoped that this brief summary and an example of how new approaches are being incorporated into agroforestry research in mainland Southeast Asia will be useful for the agricultural systems research and development community in Thailand, as they consider their way forward and any potential role for agroforestry systems in that process. Agroforestry Systems Research: Evolving Concepts and Approaches 1. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/238089001_Agroforestry_Systems_Research_Evolving_Concepts_and_Approaches_1 [accessed Jul 19, 2017].

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