Agroforst

Agroforst, or agroforestry, is a land-use approach that intentionally integrates trees or shrubs with crops and/or livestock on the same landscape unit to achieve ecological and economic benefits. It combines agricultural and forestry practices to create more diverse, productive, and resilient systems.

Common configurations include alley cropping (rows of trees with crops between), silvopasture (trees with pasture and grazing animals), and forest farming (shade-tolerant crops grown under a managed tree canopy). Windbreaks and multi-strata systems that combine trees, shrubs, and crops at different heights are also used.

Benefits of agroforestry include increased biodiversity, improved soil health and fertility through organic matter inputs and diversified root systems, better water management and erosion control, and higher potential for carbon sequestration. These systems can enhance microclimates, provide habitat for pollinators and wildlife, and diversify household or farm income by producing multiple products.

Adoption considerations include higher establishment costs and longer time to first harvest, potential competition for water and nutrients, and the need for technical knowledge and market access. Policy support, extension services, and access to capital can influence success. Agroforestry is applied in tropical, temperate, and boreal regions, with practices adapted to local climate, soil, and market conditions.

Examples of practice include shade-grown crops such as coffee or cacao with canopy trees in the tropics, nut orchards combined with intercrops in temperate regions, and silvopastoral systems in Latin America and Europe. It is increasingly promoted as a nature-based solution for climate adaptation, biodiversity conservation, and rural development.