Agroforestry solutions to address food security and climate change challenges in Africa

Abstract

• Agroforestry farms and landscapes are a important part of Africa's rural landscapes. • Trees on farm and in the landscape provide income and environmental outcomes. • Climate change and food security challenges can be eased through trees in the landscape. • Current policy frameworks could benefit from greater synergy, aligned with current practice. Trees inside and outside forests contribute to food security in Africa in the face of climate variability and change. They also provide environmental and social benefits as part of farming livelihoods. Varied ecological and socio-economic conditions have given rise to specific forms of agroforestry in different parts of Africa. Policies that institutionally segregate forest from agriculture miss opportunities for synergy at landscape scale. More explicit inclusion of agroforestry and the integration of agriculture and forestry agendas in global initiatives on climate change adaptation and mitigation can increase their effectiveness. We identify research gaps and overarching research questions for the contributions in this special issue that may help shape current opinion in environmental sustainability.