Articles
Adopting agroforestry for improved soil health in the Pacific
Article number
1129_5
Pages
35 – 40
Language
English
Abstract
Agroforestry is a collective name for land-use systems and technologies where woody perennials are deliberately integrated with crops and/or animals on the same land management unit.
Developing a farm with that model to achieve a fully sustainable farming venture in terms of soil nutrition and consistent supply for own consumption and sales is challenging.
However, past experiments (Fijian agroforestry at Namosi and Matainasau – study by Inoke Ratukalou in central Vitilevu) have clearly shown that agroforestry does add value when compared to conventional agriculture farming systems.
In addition, investigation in other parts of the world has revealed that agroforestry contributes immensely to improving soil health.
With these benefits in mind, the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) has undertaken work to ascertain how to best apply agroforestry in the Pacific context.
Agroforestry practices are being advocated as a way to enable communities to adapt well to the impact of climate change and continue to enjoy the goods and services derived from their available land and natural forests.
Not only do agroforestry systems provide a great opportunity for sequestering carbon and hence help mitigate climate change, they also enhance the adaptive capacity of agricultural systems in tropical and subtropical regions.
Mixing crops with trees not only provides food but also improves soil, and therefore is seen as the way forward for small economies in the Pacific.
SPC has established agroforestry demonstration sites in several member countries to try out techniques on both flat land and sloping land.
These sites combine ‘climate ready’ crops, tree species and livestock.
This paper gives details of the work in progress and some of the lessons learnt.
The lessons learnt, especially those relating to improving soil fertility, will be applied in replicating similar systems in the other parts of the Pacific.
Developing a farm with that model to achieve a fully sustainable farming venture in terms of soil nutrition and consistent supply for own consumption and sales is challenging.
However, past experiments (Fijian agroforestry at Namosi and Matainasau – study by Inoke Ratukalou in central Vitilevu) have clearly shown that agroforestry does add value when compared to conventional agriculture farming systems.
In addition, investigation in other parts of the world has revealed that agroforestry contributes immensely to improving soil health.
With these benefits in mind, the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) has undertaken work to ascertain how to best apply agroforestry in the Pacific context.
Agroforestry practices are being advocated as a way to enable communities to adapt well to the impact of climate change and continue to enjoy the goods and services derived from their available land and natural forests.
Not only do agroforestry systems provide a great opportunity for sequestering carbon and hence help mitigate climate change, they also enhance the adaptive capacity of agricultural systems in tropical and subtropical regions.
Mixing crops with trees not only provides food but also improves soil, and therefore is seen as the way forward for small economies in the Pacific.
SPC has established agroforestry demonstration sites in several member countries to try out techniques on both flat land and sloping land.
These sites combine ‘climate ready’ crops, tree species and livestock.
This paper gives details of the work in progress and some of the lessons learnt.
The lessons learnt, especially those relating to improving soil fertility, will be applied in replicating similar systems in the other parts of the Pacific.
Authors
V. Prasad
Keywords
traditional farming system, soil health, food security, sustainable resource management
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