Agroforestry: Linking Local Action, National Policies and Global Frameworks

Abstract

For agroforestry to reach its full global potential, there is a need to overcome barriers and create favourable environments at all levels. This requires horizontal integration across sectors, such as agriculture and forestry, and vertical integration between local, national and regional governance and operations (Coe et al. 2014). Local uptake can be enhanced through for example active farmers’ organisations and the availability of sustainable value chains for agroforestry products. There is also a need for conducive national or sub-national guidelines, policies and plans (with an attached budget to facilitate implementation), and a link to regional and global frameworks to create a favorable environment for scaling up agroforestry. The Agroforestry Network (2018 and 2019) in Sweden has produced a series of reports and briefs to explain how and why agroforestry should be at the top of policy- and decision-makers’ minds. The recommendations can be considered at local, national, and global levels: Local action: this includes increasing knowledge and cooperation among key stakeholders whilst ensuring gender equality and equity; engaging with farmers’ organisations and groups; considering longer funding cycles and increased funding for agroforestry projects and research; supporting more demand-driven, participatory and inclusive research which benefits from local knowledge systems; strengthening agroforestry value chains; and promoting multi-functionality in landscapes through a mix of tree species on farmland and mosaics of forests around farm land and in uplands. National and regional policy: this includes making agroforestry visible in policies, strategies, and budgets and communicate successful implementation; strengthening land tenure and resource rights for smallholder farmers and indigenous peoples; ensuring that policy instruments and investments are appropriate for smallholder farmers, especially women; and using multi-actor dialogues to integrate policy-making particularly across agriculture and forestry. Global frameworks: this includes connecting agroforestry practices to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), the Paris Agreement, and the Convention on Biological Diversity, and report progress. Agroforestry can contribute to at least nine out of the 17 SDGs: 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, and 15