Agroforestry, a landscape approach: from promoting specific agroforestry technologies to advocating a portfolio of tree options within the landscape

cent years there has been a shift in thinking about the best way of achieving an impact with agroforestry, says Fergus Sinclair, leader of agroforestry systems research at the World Agroforestry Centre. “In the past we would pilot agroforestry technologies intensively in one village. The idea was, if it works in one place it will work in others. But that is not enough for donor organizations anymore. They want to see wide-scale adoption.” This thinking has resulted in a new research approach, from focusing on design of interventions at pilot sites to offering appropriate tree species and management options across landscapes. These may stretch over large ecological zones. World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) research on fertilizer trees in southern Africa for instance shows that the suitability of species like Sesbania or Tephrosia that can improve maize yields depends on where they are planted. “There are no silver bullet agroforestry technologies, but rather a need to customize promising options to fit local circumstances and to support farmers in trying these out,” says Sinclair. “In the past we would tell farmers, you have to do this. For some it worked, for others it didn’t. Now we say, there are several options and they choose.” Doing this effectively requires combining the most up-to-date science with local knowledge. World Agroforestry Centre scientists work on developing practical tools and approaches that can be used by extension agencies and Non governmental organisations (NGOs) to support smallholder farmers in establishing and managing tree resources in their fields, farms and landscapes.

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