Agroforestry: What Is It and How Can It Help Farming Communities?

Agroforestry is an ancient concept and though it’s just recently surfaced, it has been practiced by various cultures around the world for thousands of years. 

Though modern agriculture has pushed aside agroforestry in favor for monoculture, we are beginning to see this change. 

What is agroforestry? 

Agroforestry is simply the presence of trees during the farming process. It involves various trees that will be planted, protected, regenerated and managed within an agricultural landscape. 

But it’s more than just that. Having trees on farming landscapes has the ability to reap many benefits such as helping to boost food security and financial stability for rural, farming communities.  

How agroforestry can help 

Among food security and financial stability for farmers, there are many others benefits that can come with practicing agroforestry. 

Agroforestry can help to protect animals, farmers as well as communities from extreme weather, as well as provide added shade during hot weather. The roots that run solidly into the earth can also prevent water runoff to lakes and rivers, which also prevents erosion at the same time. 

It is also inevitable that long-time practice of agroforestry can make landscapes more resilient to changes. For farmers who are keen to adopt more climate forward farming practices, agroforestry is a great introduction.