Agroforestry – a water wise land management system that can serve as a response option for both climate change adaptation and mitigation, while addressing many of the challenges that smallholder farmers are facing.
Agroforestry for Adaptation and Mitigation to Climate Change
Policy Brief
Published: February 2020
Summary
Agroforestry can generate multiple livelihood and environmental benefits, as it can help to mitigate climate change and help farmers to adapt to extreme and variable weather. Agroforestry supports ecosystem services, such as regulation of water and sediment flows, carbon and nutrient cycling in soils – leading to for example increased soil fertility, reduced soil erosion and flood and pest control. Smallholder farmers can also benefit from agroforestry through increased farm productivity, diversified produce and reduction of external inputs such as conventional fertilizers and chemicals for pest management, leading to increased income.