What is Agroforestry?

Agroforestry is a land-use system that integrates agriculture, trees, people, and animals in the same space, resulting in improved soil quality, higher yields, and improved standards of living. Agroforestry has been practiced around the world in varying forms for thousands of years, and as such it works well with the low-input land-management systems that are common throughout the developing world. Our role is to train communities in advances in agroforestry and to facilitate the diffusion and promotion of these strategies.

Agroforestry techniques are tailored to the needs of the community. In communal forests, tree planting programs focus on large-scale reforestation and the promotion of non-timber forest products. In agricultural fields, fast-growing multipurpose tree species are integrated into the agricultural system for specific functions such as a windbreak, firebreak, woodlot, living fence, contour-planting for erosion control, and alley-cropping to improve soil fertility.

Runa incorporates a variety of these techniques in the farming communities we partner with. All of our field staff have received International Certificates in agroforestry management from Trees for the Future and always offer a wide range of recommendations to the farmers they serve.

To learn more about agroforestry, you can download a copy of Trees for the Future’s agroforestry training manual, or join their free distance training program.