World Forest Week
Overview
Agroforestry, the practice of integrating trees and shrubs into crop and animal farming systems, holds immense potential to transform agrifood systems into more resilient and adaptive frameworks. Recognized increasingly within global policy processes and by FAO Members, agroforestry offers solutions to multiple global challenges, including food security and nutrition, rural development, ecosystem restoration, and climate change mitigation and adaptation.
By increasing productivity, diversifying incomes, and improving food security and nutrition, agroforestry can significantly enhance livelihoods in rural communities. This diversification helps farmers increase their adaptive capacity and build resilience to climate change. Ecologically, agroforestry systems improve soil health, protect crops and livestock from wind and heat, enhance water management, limit pests, and prevent soil erosion. Additionally, agroforestry is crucial for biodiversity conservation, with systems potentially supporting 50 to 80 percent of the biodiversity found in natural forests.
Despite its recognized benefits, long history, and adaptability, agroforestry is not widely practiced due to barriers in technical, financial, and policy support. The FAO is addressing these challenges by improving global data on agroforestry through the “Global Assessment on the Status and Scaling-Up Potential of Agroforestry.”
Event Highlights
This high-level dialogue will provide a platform for sharing country experiences, discussing investments and actions needed to scale up agroforestry, and identifying ways to overcome existing barriers. The panel will feature high-level representatives from FAO Members experienced in agroforestry financing, implementation, and policy support. FAO will also present its efforts to scale up agroforestry, including providing technical support to Members.
Objectives
Share Country Experiences: Highlight successful national initiatives to scale up agroforestry.
Discuss Solutions: Explore what is needed for agroforestry to transform agrifood systems effectively.
Present FAO's Work: Showcase FAO's ongoing and future support for agroforestry.
Identify Opportunities: Discuss ways to address barriers and enhance the adoption of agroforestry practices.
Join us for this important dialogue to learn about and contribute to the future of resilient and sustainable agrifood systems through the power of agroforestry.