Articles tagged with Agroforestry
A research team from the University of Göttingen found that vanilla agroforestry systems have advantages for both humans and nature, particularly when planted on fallow land. However, price fluctuations pose a challenge to sustainable cultivation.
Researchers found that soil pH and total cadmium are key factors controlling cadmium uptake in cacao beans. Liming soils can increase yield while reducing cadmium content, but access to lime may be limited for smallholder farmers.
Scientists develop a sensitive electrochemical detector using cerium oxide nanozyme to identify organophosphate pesticides in plants. The method provides an unprecedented wider linear range and a detection limit of 0.06 mmol/L, making it suitable for detecting trace amounts of pesticide residues.
Research found that cacao agroforestry systems support unique bird species in tropical dry forests, while bats are more abundant in these areas than in nearby forests. This suggests that cacao farms can serve as biodiversity-friendly oases, providing food and refuge for birds and bats.
Researchers have sequenced the shea tree's genome, providing a valuable resource for genetic improvement and breeding. The new tool will enable faster development of high-performing shea varieties, addressing the species' slow growth rate and high demand.
Research reveals that agroforestry systems can have significant ecological benefits, including enhanced biodiversity and carbon sequestration. However, the conversion of remaining forested areas into coffee or cocoa plantations should be avoided to maximize these benefits.
Research reveals that agroforestry is a major carbon sink, but its contribution is often overlooked in international climate agreements. Scientists call for improved accounting and visibility of agroforestry practices to support climate change mitigation targets.
A new study examines the impact of climate change on coffee and cocoa production in Mesoamerica and recommends transforming agroforestry systems by changing tree species composition to adapt to future climate scenarios.
New research by UCL and University of Edinburgh scientists reveals that many countries' forest restoration pledges are insufficient to meet global climate goals. Restoring natural forests is shown to capture more carbon than plantations or agroforestry, with potential to remove 42 billion tonnes of carbon by 2100.
Researchers have developed new coefficients for carbon storage in agroforestry systems, improving the IPCC's ability to assess their impact on climate change. The new coefficients take into account the diversity of agroforestry systems and their effects on soil organic carbon stocks.
Agroforestry systems have been shown to significantly increase soil organic carbon stocks, with an average increase of 34% from agriculture to agroforestry. The transition also showed increases in deeper layers, especially when including perennial plants.
A new study analyzed high-resolution satellite data to quantify the impact of China's afforestation programs, finding that most new tree cover consists of sparse, low-density plantations. The research provides valuable insights for policymakers and researchers, enabling them to track returns from tree-planting investments and identify ...
Agroforestry practices such as alley cropping, silvopasture, and forest farming offer benefits for conventional and organic agroecosystems. By integrating trees into agricultural landscapes, farmers can sequester carbon, prevent soil erosion, and increase crop yields.
A recent study reveals that tree cover on agricultural land has increased globally, capturing vast amounts of carbon dioxide and potentially playing a significant role in mitigating climate change. The research highlights the importance of agroforestry systems in reducing greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture.
A new project promotes agroforestry in Myanmar's uplands as a sustainable alternative to shifting cultivation, which harms livelihoods and ecosystems. The project aims to reduce the need for chemical fertilizers and pesticides while boosting yields and diversifying income sources.
The new vegetationmap4africa version provides a smartphone application and website to help users identify tree species and their uses. It aids in agroforestry and landscape restoration by providing information on suitable tree species for specific goods and services, as well as tools for regenerating degraded land.
The DPR Korea has launched a national agroforestry strategy and action plan to restore degraded landscapes, enhance soil quality, and increase crop yields. The initiative aims to alleviate food insecurity and reduce the frequency of natural disasters, with a focus on empowering local villagers through legal and institutional frameworks.
New research suggests that rubber expansion is environmentally unsustainable, causing widespread deforestation, loss of carbon stocks, and reduction in biodiversity. Smallholder farmers' livelihoods are also at risk due to price fluctuations and narrowing income sources.
The formation of the ASEAN Economic Community will likely lead to more deforestation, large-scale commercial monoculture crops, and environmental degradation if nations fail to address gaps in policies and enforcement. The region's agricultural land covers 1.26 million hectares, with forests covering 50% of ASEAN's total area.
A study by the World Agroforestry Centre found that collective action improves market access for smallholder farmers of agroforestry products, reducing transaction costs and increasing income. The experience from Cameroon offers an opportunity to implement effective collective action to benefit smallholder producers.
A study in the Gabayan watershed, Philippines, found that agroforestry reduces sediment yield by 20% and increases income for farmers. Agroforestry also helps communities adapt to climate change by improving water management and ecosystem services.
Agroforestry is key to increasing food production in Africa by replenishing soils, improving biodiversity, and conserving natural resources. By adopting sustainable agricultural intensification techniques, farmers can meet the growing population's needs without degrading the environment.
Crop intensification through agroforestry can improve soil fertility, biodiversity, and water quality, increasing food production in Africa. By reducing reliance on chemical fertilizers, farmers can maintain nutrient cycling, organic matter build-up, and ecosystem resilience.
African smallholder farmers can benefit from agroforestry practices to increase storage of carbon, enhance agricultural productivity, and improve resilience to climate change impacts. Agroforestry is a win-win solution that addresses both mitigation and adaptation needs in food-focused production systems.
The IFAD-ICRAF Programme will develop and scale up pro-poor, sustainable biofuel production models in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. It aims to create energy, food security, livelihood, and income-generating opportunities for poor households.
Retention forestry and agroforestry systems offer a balance between production and biodiversity conservation. The paper proposes bridging the two fields to enhance ecological benefits and species conservation.
The Vision for Change project aims to increase cocoa yields and improve farmer livelihoods through agroforestry practices, research on improved varieties, and market support. By leveraging private-public partnerships, Mars Inc. and ICRAF hope to scale up the initiative to millions of farmers across West Africa.
Zacharie Tchoundjeu, a forestry conservationist in Cameroon, and Martha Ruiz Corzo, an environmental activist in Mexico, win the National Geographic/Buffett Award. They are recognized for their outstanding work in conservation and community-based management of protected areas.
Participatory agroforestry has restored land and secured the food supply in DPR Korea, increasing tree cover and productivity. The user groups' involvement and rights-to-use agreements contributed to the project's success.
A historic workshop in Indonesia aimed to develop a national strategy on agroforestry research, identifying key challenges such as government partiality, land tenure insecurity, and trade-offs between conservation and development. Opportunities for agroforestry were also highlighted, including international support and knowledge sharing.
Climate-smart agriculture encourages tree-based farming systems to reduce deforestation and promote carbon sequestration. By improving farmers' incomes, it can enhance food security and mitigate climate change through greenhouse gas emission reductions.
Researchers have developed a model to predict the amount of carbon contained in agroforestry systems using detailed web-available data. The model provides a tool for farmers to assess the impact of windbreaks on their operations, capturing substantial amounts of carbon while providing production and conservation benefits.
Scientists developed a conceptual framework to diagnose nutrient and non-nutrient interactions in agroecosystems, increasing yields and reducing environmental costs. The model considers both nutrient and non-nutrient resource effects on growth, such as light conditions and soil moisture content.
Growing trees on farms enhances soil health, conserves water, and provides a range of products including food, medicine, and energy. Agroforestry is crucial for meeting global challenges such as food security and climate change.
The World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) emphasizes the need for a whole landscape approach in REDD+, considering land uses beyond forests to address deforestation drivers. This approach can help reduce problems like carbon leakage and improve forest governance.
A pioneering project in North Korea has successfully implemented agroforestry systems on marginal sloping lands, increasing tree cover and crop diversity. The project has made a significant impact on people's lives, providing them with food, vitamins, and income through sustainable land management.
Research by scientists at the University of Missouri Center for Agroforestry suggests that buffer strips can trap and break down veterinary antibiotics in manure fertilizers. The finding aims to mitigate concerns about the use of veterinary antibiotics in livestock farming, which may lead to drug-resistant bacteria and ecosystem harm.
A new study using satellite images found that nearly half of the world's farmed landscapes include significant tree cover, exceeding 10% in over 1 billion hectares. This reveals a vital role of trees in agricultural production globally, providing benefits such as carbon sequestration and nutrition for people.
The World Agroforestry Centre argues that existing technology can effectively monitor carbon storage in developing countries, potentially saving more carbon than closing 1,400 coal-burning power plants. Implementing carbon markets could generate $10 billion annually for rural poor communities.