Are We Overlooking the Benefits of Agroforestry?
By Jane Marsh
A growing consensus shows the agricultural industry must catch up on sustainability. As consumers scrutinize conventional farming practices for their emissions and deforestation, many have considered regenerative farming to improve operations.
One popular technique is agroforestry. Although somewhat newer, agroforestry has excellent potential for sustainable crop production.
What Is Agroforestry?
Agroforestry is a regenerative farming method in which farmers integrate trees into croplands. It is particularly beneficial for small-scale farms and developing countries, alleviating poverty levels with a more robust agricultural economy, boosting crop yields and enhancing soil, water and ecological health.
According to one study, 43% of farmland with 10% tree coverage sequestered 36.29 pentagrams (Pg) of carbon. As such, agroforestry can offset conventional agricultural outputs to prevent future climate change.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) defines five types of agroforestry farms found in the United States as follows:
- Alley cropping: Intercropping fruits, vegetables, herbs and flowers between rows of trees
- Forest farming: Growing produce, herbs, botanicals and decorative plants under a shaded forest canopy
- Silvopasture: Integrating livestock and foraging among trees and crops, improving animal welfare in excessive heat
- Riparian forest buffers: Utilizing trees, bushes and grasses along streams and rivers to prevent agricultural runoff and stabilize roots and soils
- Windbreaks: Planting trees or taller shrubs to protect crops from heavy winds and precipitation
As farmers strive to meet the demand for sustainable agriculture, these agroforestry methods will likely become more common.
6 Advantages and Disadvantages of Agroforestry
Regenerative agroforestry has yet to take off worldwide as an alternative to traditional farms. Yet, despite the requirements and lack of resources, the ecological benefits are difficult to overlook. Here are six pros and cons of agroforestry.
As a regenerative farming method, agroforestry helps farmers maintain healthy soils. Trees producing organic litterfall provide a microbial food source for soil.
Tree roots also separate packed dirt, allowing better water and airflow. This ensures the earth remains porous and broken up for improved moisture and nutrient infiltration.
Soil fertility is more important than ever in farming. Due to agricultural activities, humans have severely or moderately destroyed 25% and 50% of the earth’s soils. Land conversion, climate change, tillage, monocropping and poor nutrient management have caused most soil degradation.
Incorporating trees with food production is conducive to better water management and runoff prevention. Increasing organic matter and enhancing soil structure helps retain more moisture. Likewise, blocking strong sunlight slows evaporation, so soils stay wetter for longer.
Agricultural runoff is one of the most significant problems in conventional farming. Aside from spreading harmful chemicals to aquatic ecosystems, farmers lose the nutrient-dense soil for growing crops. Additionally, fertilizer runoff may cause lethal algal blooms and contamination from increased phosphorus and nitrogen outputs.
Agroforestry may be the solution to agricultural water management problems. Tree roots hold soil and organic matter in place, reducing runoff and allowing more time for soil nutrient uptake and less leaching.
Increasing lumber demand has driven costs up 130%, impacting the housing market and a lagging supply chain.
In Europe, agroforestry is helping curb a widespread timber shortage amid high demand and fewer imports from tropical regions. Tree species used in Europe’s agroforestry projects — primarily black walnut and poplar — bear fruit first and then deliver logs to compensate for the timber shortage.
Deforestation is also a crucial concern for people in the Amazon rainforest and Malawi. These indigenous communities rely on wood for cooking, construction, firewood and fuel, placing undue stress on forests to fulfill their resource needs. Agroforestry can help these communities create a more sustainable allocation of timber.
Conventional farming utilizes chemical fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides to control weeds, pests and diseases. However, synthetic products harm essential pollinators and beneficial insects and destroy soil fertility.
There are many ways agroforestry reduces the need for agricultural chemicals. For instance, trees provide refuge and food for pollinators. Beneficial insects can also thrive and feed on unwanted pests without dangerous chemical exposure.
Additionally, trees catch pesticides, dust and spray drift in the air, preventing them from contaminating organic crops. An effective windbreak should be 2.5 feet tall and 60–80% dense for maximum wind reduction — including towering trees, shrubs, annual and perennial plants and tall flowers.
Although studies have underscored agroforestry’s sustainability, intensive farming methods are the norm. Unlike commercial monocropping and mechanized agribusiness, agroforestry doesn’t qualify for subsidies because of its land management component.
This newer practice also requires procedures and regulations to define it as a viable farming technique — a lengthy and less-appealing process to farmers.
Of course, there’s some hope as countries adopt agroforestry policies. For instance, India implemented the first National Agriculture Policy in 2014, investing $30 to $40 million in new agroforestry developments. At the time, India already practiced regenerative farming across 13.5 million hectares.
Despite its potential, agroforestry remains a labor-intensive industry. For instance, farmers must carefully plan their food production strategy among trees and shrubs. Part of the problem is that tree growth tends to be much slower. Farmers also have to maintain weeds and spacing for adequate crop yields.
Successful agroforestry requires expert training and an understanding of the local climate, weather conditions, market and land management policies. As of now, knowledge gaps are prevalent as agroforestry is in its infancy.
However, new technologies are available to assist farmers in adopting agroforestry. For example, solar panels can save farmers 9% to 25% in production costs, while drones deliver crucial information regarding wind and weather conditions.
Case Study: Binahon Agroforestry Farm
Agroforestry has taken off in other parts of the world. The Binahon Agroforestry Farm (BAFF) in Lantapan, Bukidnon, in the Philippines, has been operating for about 30 years.
Starting as a small family-owned farm, BAFF now employs farmhands and trains community members interested in agroforestry. You’ll find numerous fruit tree varieties at BAFF — including cacao, guava and coffee — and eucalyptus, pine and bamboo trees.
The farm also upholds sustainable farming methods, including integrated pest management, intercropping, vermicomposting and vermiculture. Notably, growers plant crops across or perpendicular to slopes to improve water flow and prevent erosion.
BAFF has also maximized its revenue by selling products grown on its farm, including honey, produce, flowers and tree seedlings.
Agroforestry a Viable Tool for Sustainable Farming
Adopting sustainable agriculture requires farmers to embrace change. Indeed, there’s considerably more to learn about agroforestry — but if BAFF and other regenerative projects are any indications, it has the potential for widespread success.