Poplars are the major agroforestry tree across the region Central Asia, with tree wind breaks being the major agroforestry system. These tree wind breaks help to improve the micro climate, reduce water consumption of agriculture and thus build resilience against climate change, and combat soil erosion. Agriculture in Central Asia largely depends on irrigation, and it is expected that water stress for agriculture will become more and more prevalent in the course of climate change. Poplars yield timber and fuel wood which makes them economically beneficial to farmers as well. Therefore, at ICRAF Central Asia Office this series of videos under the title Agroforestry in Central Asia - Ecological and economic benefits of poplar cultivation was produced in the frame of an ASA project (by Engagement Global under the roof of GIZ).
This video firstly introduces agroforestry with its basic ideas and major systems that are found in Central Asia and poplar as agroforestry tree. Afterwards ICRAF"s research on poplars in the region is explained, followed by practical guidelines how to plant and manage poplars. Finally the future perspectives of agroforestry in Central Asia are explored.
