The Agroforestry Homepage
Agroforestry is the process of combining trees and shrubbery with the standard farm fare of livestock and crops. Growing both agricultural crops and horticultural crops on the same land has proven to be beneficial over the last couple of decades. Agroforestry is equally productive biologically, economically, and sustainably than either farming endeavor is alone. Rather than clear farmland of trees, intentional, favorable plantings of trees are used to assist regular farm crops in reaching higher yields. The website, juglans.org contains a wealth of information about agroforestry.
Sustainable farming is increasing in popularity, and many agroforestry systems exist in several parts of the world. They are growing in popularity, as they are key production elements in some areas that are prone to soil erosion and drought. Agroforestry systems use trees and/or shrubs within an agricultural setting. In a forest setting, growing non-timber related products also constitutes agroforestry. It is important to understand the various species and care of the crops and trees that are planted together to enhance the benefits of the system and diminish the risks of negative effects.
Agroforestry differs from basic agriculture or horticulture in that the focus of agroforestry is on the exchanges between the components. Successful agroforestry is dependent upon learning which components will work together rather than hinder growth. There are five main varieties of agroforestry, which include alley cropping, forest farming, riparian forest buffers, silvopasture, and windbreaks, and several more subtypes of agroforestry variations.
Experiments in the sub-Saharan Africa region of Malawi has proven that the addition of fertilizer trees in the same fields as the maize increased the harvest as much as three or more times maize production grown without fertilizer trees. Certain trees such as the Faidherbia have been shown to enhance crop production in Zambia. Since they shed their leaves during the rainy growing season, crops are not competing for light, water, or nutrients to develop. In the dry season, leaves regrow on the Faidherbia tree to shield the crops from the harsh sun.
Benefits of agroforestry are very far reaching and can include the reduction of poverty in areas with a history of problematic crops. Food security is not only met for household use but the surplus can be sold. In areas of poor nutrition and chronic illness, agroforestry can improve nutrition. Agroforestry is also responsible for restoring the fertility to the soil as well as reducing the effects of deforestation, and the diversity of agroforestry systems can assist in buffering farms against the effects of global warming.
Agroforestry practices can increase the nutrients in the crops by retrieving trace elements and minerals from weathering rock and lower levels of soil. The shade and shelter provided by trees and shrubs can reduce stress on livestock and improves wildlife habitat. Agroforestry systems can account for more than half of the diversity of farmed land by increasing the occurrence of beneficial insects and birds. Tree trimmings and prunings contribute to the soil's fertility by decaying and releasing nitrogen can increase yields of crops. Sustainable agricultural projects can be useful for other benefit such as noise reduction, increase and preserve wildlife, and improve the visual appeal of the farmland. Environment consciousness is very important nowadays, so we should do every little bit to help our environment stay clean.