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Abstract

Agroforestry is a natural resource management system that integrates trees, crops and animals in a manner that produces two or more crops from a small unit of land sustainably. It is a sustainable land use system that is ecologically and economically sound and offers the added benefit of carbon sequestration. This paper reviews agroforestry practices in Nepal and its role in carbon sequestration and climate change adaptation. Agroforestry is being practiced in the mid-hills of Nepal for the requirement of daily needs like fodder, food and fuel as a substitute to forests. The fodder trees, fuelwood and fruit trees around the farm have an important role in diet supplement as well as in carbon storage. Various researchers have estimated carbon content in agroforestry range from between 12 and 228 MgC/ha with a median value of 95 Mg/ha in the terrestrial agro ecosystem. In Nepal, the mid-hills agroforestry is estimated to store about 48.60 ton C per hectare. Agro-ecosystems also contribute to the mitigation of the climate change and are being an adaptation strategy for the farmers. Keywords: Adaptation;Agroforestry; Carbon sequestration.
Octa Journal of Environmental Research Jan.Mar., 2017
International Peer-Reviewed Journal ISSN 2321 3655
Oct. Jour. Env. Res. Vol. 5(1): 022-031
Available online http://www.sciencebeingjournal.com
Octa Journal of Environmental Research
Review Article
AGROFORESTRY SYSTEM: AN OPPORTUNITY FOR CARBON
SEQUESTRATION AND CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION IN THE MID-HILLS OF
NEPAL
Deepa Paudela*, Krishna Raj Tiwaria, Roshan Man Bajracharyab, Nani Rautb, Bishal K. Sitaulac
a.Institute of Forestry, Hariyokharka, Pokhara P.O. Box 33700, Nepal
b.Department of Aquatic Ecology Center, Kathmandu University, Kavre P.O. Box 6250, Kathmandu, Nepal
c.Department of International Environment and Development Studies (Noragric), Norwegian University of Life Sciences
(UMB), Box 5003, 1432, Norway
Corresponding Author’s E-mail: skt.deepa@gmail.com
Abstract: Agroforestry is a natural resource management system that integrates trees, crops and
animals in a manner that produces two or more crops from a small unit of land sustainably. It is a
sustainable land use system that is ecologically and economically sound and offers the added benefit of
carbon sequestration. This paper reviews agroforestry practices in Nepal and its role in carbon
sequestration and climate change adaptation. Agroforestry is being practiced in the mid-hills of Nepal for
the requirement of daily needs like fodder, food and fuel as a substitute to forests. The fodder trees,
fuelwood and fruit trees around the farm have an important role in diet supplement as well as in carbon
storage. Various researchers have estimated carbon content in agroforestry range from between 12 and
228 MgC/ha with a median value of 95 Mg/ha in the terrestrial agro ecosystem. In Nepal, the mid-hills
agroforestry is estimated to store about 48.60 ton C per hectare. Agro-ecosystems also contribute to
the mitigation of the climate change and are being an adaptation strategy for the farmers.
Keywords: Adaptation;Agroforestry; Carbon sequestration.
PostalAddress: Institute of Forestry, Pokhara -15, Hariyokharka 33700, Nepal, Phone: +977-61-431563.
INTRODUCTION
Agroforestry is an interface between
agriculture and forestry as a promising and
sustainable land use practice in developing
countries where trees on farmland form an
integral part of the farming system. Agroforestry
deliberately combines agriculture and forestry
to create integrated and sustainable land-use
systems including annual crops and trees.
However, agroforestry has been defined in
various ways. It has been called a dynamic,
ecologically based, natural resources
management system that, through the
integration of trees on farms and in the
agricultural landscape, diversifies and sustains
production for increased social, economic and
environmental benefits for land users at all
levels (Leaky, 1996; ICRAF, 2006).
Combination of trees on crops is an old practice
defined by Nair (1993) as a land use system
that integrates trees, crops, and animals in a
way that is scientifically sound, ecologically
desirable, practically feasible land socially
acceptable to the farmers. In earlier times
agroforestry was practiced by those farmers
whose ultimate goal was food production and
they retained tree as supportive for the
agriculture crops. This is accepted as holistic
applied science that has potential for
addressing many of the ecological and
livelihood services for the benefit of farmers and
rural communities alike (Regmi, 2003).In other
words agroforestry has been claimed, to have
the possibility of improving agricultural land use
systems and providing lasting benefits and
alleviating adverse environmental effects at
local and global levels (Alao et al., 2011). The
Paudel et al., 2017; Agroforestry System: An Opportunity for Carbon Sequestration and Climate Change
Adaptation in the Mid-Hills of Nepal
Oct. Jour. Env. Res. Vol 5(1):022-031
023
practice of introducing trees in farming has
played a significant role in enhancing land
productivity and improving livelihoods in both
developed and developing countries. In
terrestrial ecosystems, forests are considered
among the easiest means for enhancing carbon
capture and sequestration (Dahal and Kafle,
2013), Although, this is land use system having
tree and crops in a single unit of land with more
than two benefits the recognition of role of
forest trees in reducing emission of carbon is
more (Montagini et al., 2004). Agroforestry and
ecosystem conservation are key approaches in
the integration of climate change adaptation
and mitigation objectives, often generating
significant co-benefits for local ecosystems and
biodiversity (Matocha et al., 2012). At the same
time, FAO 2009 indicates land-based carbon
mitigation schemes, such as avoided
deforestation, reforestation, and agricultural and
agroforestry practices that sequester carbon in
vegetation and soil, can make a substantial
contribution to global climate change mitigation
with potential source of income to poor
farmers. In developing countries agroforestry
has been recognized as land use practice for
the small farmers with improving agroforestry
technique slowly and few studies has been
done in related to agroforestry in relation with
carbon and livelihood.Thus, the purpose of the
paper is to review the different practice of
agroforestry and their role in carbon
sequestration and climate change adaptation
focused particularly in midhills of Nepal.
AGROFORESTRY IN NEPAL
Geographically, diverse country with flat plains
of the Terai in the south and the sloping terrain
of the Mid-hills and snowy mountains in the
north (HMG/N, 2002). It covers 147,181 sq.km.
area where hills and high mountains cover
about 86% of the total land area and the
remaining 14% are the flatlands of the Terai
(NPC, 2012). Agriculture is the principal source
of food income and employment, which
employs 73.9% of its economically active
population (CBS, 2008) and contributes
approximately 34% to GDP (NRB, 2014). In
recent decades, Nepal’s population has grown
rapidly that’s why more people have required
increasing amounts of food and commodities
from agriculture and natural resources. The
land use of Nepal is changing day by day due
to climatic effect and insurgency in country
(Paudel et al., 2016) (Table 1). In midhills of
Nepal there is intermixing of tree with
agriculture land which indicates the peripheral
effects on natural forest (Uddin et al., 2015).
That’s why the recent assessment, done by
government of Nepal represent other woodland
as 4.38% where forest covers 40.36% and
combined together form 44.74% of the total
area of the country. The other wooded land
represents the tree on farm land and fallow land
with tree (DFRS, 2015).
Table 1. Land use change of Nepal from 1979-2015
Category
Percentage
1979 (LRMP)
1994 (NFI)
1999 (DFRS)
Uddinet al., 2015
Cultivated
20.10
21.00
21.00
29.83
Non cultivated
6.70
7.00
7.00
10.65
Forest
38.10
29.00
29.00
39.10
Shrubland
4.70
10.60
10.60
3.40
Grassland
11.90
12.00
12.00
7.90
Water
N/A
2.60
2.60
0.60
other
18.50
17.80
N/A
N/A
Compiled from Uddin et al., 2015 and Paudel, 2016
Land use changes combines and interacts
with social organization, religious beliefs, and
access to land and markets to give rise to a
wide variety of farming systems and great
variances within them (Mahat, 1987; Thapa,
1994) which in turn has resulted in several
agroforestry practices. The practice of
integrating and managing crops, livestock and
forestry for food security and livelihoods has a
long history in Nepal’s mid-hills (Gilmore and
Fisher, 1991; Garforth et al., 1997). Agriculture,
trees, and livestock are intertwined in the
Paudel et al., 2017; Agroforestry System: An Opportunity for Carbon Sequestration and Climate Change
Adaptation in the Mid-Hills of Nepal
Oct. Jour. Env. Res. Vol 5(1):022-031
024
Nepalese farming system which is practiced by
farmers themselves on a regular basis; hence
the sustainability of the farming system
depends on the continuous existence of tree
resources (Garforth et al., 1999). This system
traditionally produces a wide variety of products
from small unit of land, such as, timber,
fuelwood, leaf litter, fruits; vegetables etc. to
meet household needs with generating an
income opportunity to small holder farmers
(Regmi, 2003). Nepal’s hills are characterized
by steep slopes and limited cultivable land
(Gilmour et al., 2014). Most farmlands are
located on steep slopes where farmers practice
cereal-based land management, which requires
intensive soil tillage, particularly frequent
ploughing and hoeing. In that case, growing of
trees, shrubs and herbs species on private
lands to fulfill the basic household needs has
been a long established tradition in the
mountains of Nepal. Farmers maintain trees in
the farmland adopting several forms of
agroforestry, and collect fuel wood, leaf litter
and fodder from these trees for their
subsistence (Pandit et al., 2014). The practice
of agroforestry followed in Nepal can be broadly
categorized as: farm-based and forest-based.
The former include home gardens, trees on or
around agricultural fields, wood lots and
commercial crops under shade trees, and
intercropping of agricultural crops and
commercial trees (Gilmour et al., 2014).The
forest-based practices involve specific
agricultural practices associated with forests
where farmers collect food, fruits and gums
(Tejwani and Lai, 1992). Nowadays government
of Nepal is practicing leasehold forestry or
public land agroforestry, which also symbolizes
forest based agroforestry practice (CBD, 2014).
It has important implications, particularly
through the division of the institutional
landscape, including targeting communities,
institutional involvement and long-term
programs and strategic approaches (Gilmour et
al., 2014). In other words we can say that the
agroforestry played an important role in
sustaining a variety of ecosystem services and
practiced as adaptation tool (Jose, 2009). With
regard to agroforestry, it is a prevalent
traditional Nepalese farming practice that
involves integrating trees within cropping
systems on private land, as opposed to
community forestry on public land. The midhills
agroforestry system involves cultivation of crops
and useful plants under the natural tree canopy,
for example home gardens, tree on farmland,
mostly for household consumption (Tewari,
2008).
Table 2. Different types of Agroforestry practices adopted by farmers in midhills of Nepal.
Agroforestry
practices
Modified or adopted definition
Home garden
Vertical and horizontal management of agricultural
crops where household members are living
permanently within the same unit of land irrespective
of farm size (Modified from Nair 1986). It provides
60% of total fruit and vegetable consumption in a 5
6 member household in mid-hills of Nepal (Sthapit et
al., 2010).
Tree on farm land
(strip or scattered
tree)
Cultivation of multipurpose trees or fruit trees on
boundary of the farmland where trees are on strip or
scattered and agriculture crops (cereals, vegetables)
are intercropped).
For the purpose of soil conservation farmers are
adopting this type of agroforestry practice in mid hills
of Nepal.
Orchards (Block
plantation)
Block plantation of fruits or multipurpose trees on
farmland where agriculture crops (cereals,
vegetables) are either intercropped or cultivated on
adjoining land.
For the protection of agriculture land from soil
erosion, water spring drying up etc.(Neupane et al.,
2002).
Paudel et al., 2017; Agroforestry System: An Opportunity for Carbon Sequestration and Climate Change
Adaptation in the Mid-Hills of Nepal
Oct. Jour. Env. Res. Vol 5(1):022-031
025
Agroforestry
practices
Modified or adopted definition
Silvi- pasture
Fallow land with at-least one tree species were
livestock are either grazed seasonally or
permanently throughout the year.
Commercial crop
under tree shade
In this system, agricultural cash crops such as tea
and coffee are grown along with tree crops. This is
used for the commercialization of the product.
(Amatya, 1999).This is also known as improved
agroforestry in Nepal.
The traditional farming system in Nepal has not
been adequate to sustain agricultural
production and present level of food
requirements (Neupane, 2002). Agroforestry
practice in Nepal seems like recent practices
followed in developed countries but they are not
scientifically managed. The challenge towards
the traditional agroforestry practice in mid-hills
is to manage scientifically for the betterment of
the livelihoods, sustainable production and
improvement of socio-economic condition of the
people.
CARBON SEQUESTRATION
THROUGH AGROFORESTRY
Trees in agroforestry systems are an important
resource providing products and services to the
society. It has unique role in stabilizing the
atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration and
reducing the carbon emissions or on increasing
the carbon sink in different land use system
(Murthy et al., 2013). Carbon emission is higher
from deforestation and forest degradation which
can be managed through the sustainable
management of land and forests, and
enhancement of forest C stocks through
agroforestry can be considered as one of the
main options for reducing greenhouse gases in
atmosphere (Nair et. al., 2012). Agroforestry
systems have indirect effects on carbon
sequestration because they reduce harvesting
pressure on natural forests as because trees
are the largest source of sinks for terrestrial
carbon. Nowadays, there is a growing attention
in the role of different types of land Carbon
sequestration in the long term storage of carbon
in oceans, soils, vegetation (especially forests),
and geologic formations and carbon storage in
different agroforestry system (ESA, 2001).
Carbon sequestration rate of soil depends upon
the input of dead organic matter provided by
plants, soil properties such as soil structures
and their aggregations, and climate (Lal, 2004).
Whereas, Tree-based agroforestry systems are
a preferred method for aboveground biomass C
sequestration as compared to treeless
pastures, there is evidence that C storage in
deep soil horizons is greater (Takimoto et al.,
2009). The available estimates of C stored in
agroforestry range from 0.29 to 15.21 Mg
C/ha/year above ground, and 30300 Mg C/ha
up to 1 m depth in the soil (Nair et al., 2010).
Different agroforestry system have different rate
of carbon sequestration in different region
shown in Table 3.
Table 3. Examples of various agroforestry practices with carbon stock
S.No.
Region
AF practices
Carbon stock
Reference
1.
West Africa
Fodder bank AF
0.29 MgC/ha/yr
Nair, 2009
2.
Puerto Rico
Mixed species
15.29 MgC/ha/yr
Nair, 2009
3.
Costa Rica
Silvopastoral
173 Mg C/ha/yr
Nair, 2009
4.
Ecuador
Silvopastoral in above ground
7- 41 MgC/ha
McGroody et al., 2015
5.
Philippines
Mixed multi story system
161.52 MgC/ha
Mildrade et al., 2012
6.
Indonesia
Homegarden system
107 C ton/ha
Roshetko et al., 1999
7.
Indonesia
Agroforestry system
287.9 C/t/ha
Eutis, 2003
8.
Srilanka
Homegarden
10-145Mg/ha/yr
Mattson et al., 2013
9.
India
Poplar based AF system
3.8- 4.82 t/ha/yr
Chauhan et al., 2015
10.
India
Home garden
16-36 Mg/ha/yr
Singh and Panday, 2011
11.
Nepal
Midhills agroforestry
48.6 t/ha/yr
Panditet al., 2012
Paudel et al., 2017; Agroforestry System: An Opportunity for Carbon Sequestration and Climate Change
Adaptation in the Mid-Hills of Nepal
Oct. Jour. Env. Res. Vol 5(1):022-031
026
Another study done by Albrecht et al.
(2003) showed that the carbon sequestration
potential of agroforestry systems is estimated to
be between 12 and 228 Mg C/ha with a median
value of 95 Mg C/ha. Adoption of agroforestry
practices has greater potential to increase C
sequestration of predominantly agriculture
dominated landscapes than monocrop
agriculture (Nair et al., 2009). Beside that
agroforestry has been recognized to bea
distinct position as a carbon sequestration
strategy because of its applicability in
agricultural lands as well as in reforestation
programs (Cairns and Meganck 1994).
Agroforestry systems show significant carbon
accumulation in living biomass, as well as soil
carbon, demonstrating the potential to offer the
environmental service of carbon sequestration.
Soil C stocks have been demonstrated to
generally be larger in agroforestry systems
compared to conventional cropping systems
(Kumar and Nair, 2011).In Nepal, Pandit et al.,
(2012) estimated that a total of 48.60 ton C per
hectare whereas Bajracharya et al., (2015)
found that leasehold agroforestry in cool agro-
ecological has more carbon stock than
conventional agriculture practice. Forestry is
considered to encompass more broadly the
larger landscape beyond individual farms,
where private farmland, common access forest
and grazing land, farm animals, water
resources as well as household members, all
interact. KC (2011) estimated that CO2
emissions from AF systems in Nepal were 0.15
% of the total global carbon sequestered
through AF, which is considered to be a huge
amount relative to the country’s size. In the
country, high carbon stocks and sequestration
potential of forest land have been well
documented by numerous researchers as well
as research and survey department (Dahal and
Kafle 2013). However, AF practices improve
food and nutritional needs and mitigate
environmental degradation by combining trees
and crops (Nair, 2007).
Contribution of Agroforestry to Climate
change Adaption and Mitigation
Climate change due to addition of GHGs has
been one of the biggest issues for the human
welfare in the world (IPCC, 2001). Developing
countries are going to accept the effect of
climate change and are suffering from its
negative impacts with consequences the
vulnerability in the area.The outward fluctuation
of Carbon dioxide, Nitrous oxide and Methane
can be reduced through better management of
agroforestry system which will contribute
significantly in reducing GHG emissions and
mitigation that’s why agroforestry system has
been identified as a long term sink (Verocht et
al., 2007). In developing countries adaptation is
concern and critical because the vulnerability is
high and ability to adapt is low. In that way,
climate change is expected to affect food and
water resources that are critical for livelihoods
(Hassan 2008). Adaptation is necessary to deal
with adverse climatic stresses and hazards and
to take the opportunities such as new
innovations, which can be both to current,
actual or projected conditions (Smith et
al.,1999). Adaptation to climate change is not
something that must start from scratch. It is an
incremental process that can build upon a long
history of previous adaption. The new thing is
the need to adapt much more rapidly because
of the impact of human activities on climate
(Burton 2000). Besides adaptation mitigation is
also important in the climate change aspect. It
means, mitigation is needed to reduce the
impacts and allow for adaptation to takes place,
for ecosystems these boundaries are generally
narrower for human systems. Because
mitigation measures will not be able to
immediately avoid global warming (Parry et al.,
2007) adaptive measurements will be needed
to avoid the negative consequences of climate
change. On the longer term mitigation
measures will be able to avoid further warming
or even reduce the effect. In developing
countries climate change is significantly
affecting the agricultural sector,leading to
serious consequences related to food
production and food security, with bigger
impacts on small-holder farmers and the poor
(IPCC, 2007).
Agroforestry knowledge is being adapted in
rural and urban area to address the challenge
of climate change. Agroforestry is suitable
Paudel et al., 2017; Agroforestry System: An Opportunity for Carbon Sequestration and Climate Change
Adaptation in the Mid-Hills of Nepal
Oct. Jour. Env. Res. Vol 5(1):022-031
027
practice to assist in creating productive and
healthy farm and ranch operations,it has the
potential to contribute to both climate change
mitigation and adaptation by sequestering
carbon, reducing GHG emissions, enhancing
resiliency, and reducing threats while facilitating
migration to more favorable conditions in the
highly fragmented agricultural landscapes
(Schoeneberger et al., 2012). The option for
land use practices should be according to the
condition of the area so that increase the
adaptive capacity of subsistence farmers’ and
hence less vulnerability to climate change
impacts are necessary (Ford et al., 2011). Thus
and agro-ecosystem can be designed to
support adaptation of communities and
households to local and global change (Van
Ardenne et al., 2003). However, traditional
resource management adaptations, such as
agroforestry systems, may potentially provide
options for improving farmer adapting to climate
change through simultaneous production of
food, fodder and firewood as well as mitigation
of the impact of climate change (Adgeret.al,
2010). Tree-based systems are more profitable
and less risky than other agricultural options
because of the variety of products and have
less infected by pest (Kebebew et al., 2011).
The twin objective of climate change adaptation
and mitigation can be addressed by
agroforestry (Murthy et. al., 2013) which has
unique opportunity to accomplish those
prospects. These agroforestry practices are
based on a variety of management approaches
and have potential positive implications for
climate change mitigation (Albrecht et al.,
2003). Agroforestry systems can meaningfully
reduce the pressure on natural forests for
essential energy. Expansion and use of
agroforestry for sustainable fuel wood can
contribute to energy substitution and becomes
an important carbon offset option (Unruh et.al.,
1993).It is reported that Agroforestry systems
that combine trees and shrubs with crops and
livestock enhances organic carbon
accumulation in soils by providing continuous
supply of organic matter, and it also increases
soil microorganisms by which the nutrient cycle
is preserved (Araujo et al., 2011). Reducing the
presence of GHGs specially CO2 in atmosphere
for the decreasing the process of global
warming include the way of removing carbon
from atmosphere and depositing it in reservoir
or transforming Carbon to secure in other long-
lived pools (UNFCCC, 2007). The best
reservoir for the sequestration of carbon is tree
and soil in Tree-based farmland tree play
significant role to carbon sequestration both in
above and below ground as well as reduces
emission of greenhouse gases from agricultural
practices (Branca et al., 2013).
Climate change mitigation through
enhancing carbon sequestration and
strengthening the system’s ability to cope with
adverse impacts of changing climatic condition
can be done by the different practice of
agroforestry system. In a meantime,
agroforestry set best example for the copping of
adverse impact of changing climatic condition
(Verocht et al., 2007). In addition, improved
farming practices, including the use of organic
fertilizers, conservation farming practices, etc.,
can increase crop yields, reduce GHGs
emissions, and enhance soil organic carbon
(SOC) storage (Branca et al., 2013).
Agroforestry is a viable alternative to prevent
and mitigate climate change. IPCC recognized
agroforestry as having high potential for
sequestering carbon under the climate change
mitigations strategies (Watson et al., 2000).
Because trees are the largest component of
aboveground biomass in terrestrial ecosystems,
a number of studies have paid attention to the
role of forests in mitigating climate change,
carbon sequestration and biodiversity
conservation (IPCC, 2007). In addition that,
agroforestry has been proposed as a strategy
not only for adapting to climate change, but also
for mitigating and addressing issues of food
security and environmental degradation in
agricultural systems. Agroforestry is gaining
popularity as an adaptation strategy, in part
because traditional agricultural systems often
include agroforestry practices (Liang et al.,
2009). In such a way, the implementation of
agroforestry is less costly and more effective
than other approaches (ICIMOD, 2013). The
adoption of the practice of agroforestry
increases crop production, income, savings,
improves food security, and provides firewood
Paudel et al., 2017; Agroforestry System: An Opportunity for Carbon Sequestration and Climate Change
Adaptation in the Mid-Hills of Nepal
Oct. Jour. Env. Res. Vol 5(1):022-031
028
and fodder (Akinnifesi et al., 2008). Tree-based
agroforestry practices could bring opportunities
for rural development through promoting agro-
industries and improving local economies by
reducing unemployment (Kumar et al., 2012). In
Nepal, Climate-related changes have been
observed in precipitation patterns, temperature,
high intensity floods, landslides, erosion and
increased sedimentation (IPCC, 2007). These
changes in climatic factors have substantial
impacts at the local level as they change the
agro-ecosystem, resulting in loss of land,
livestock and household assets (Pant, 2011).
As far as possible, raising trees on the farm
is a traditional practice in Nepal, particularly in
the mid-hills with a purpose of producing fodder
for livestock and fuel-wood for heating and
cooking (Amatya and Newman, 1993). Various
forms of agroforestry were adopted by farmers
over time such as homestead agroforestry,
alley cropping, buffer strips, fruit garden,
woodlot, and boundary plantation, improved
agroforestry like coffee plantation in midhills
and terai (Dhakal et al., 2012). That’s why; the
practice of agroforestry is a contributing factor
in reducing human impact on the natural forest
and maintaining agro-biodiversity as well as
reducing greenhouse gas emission (Acharya,
2006). Agroforestry practices have been
approved as a strategy for soil C sequestration
under afforestation and reforestation programs
and also under the Clean Development
Mechanisms of the Kyoto Protocol (IPCC,
2007). Agroforestry has received widespread
attention in tropical and temperate regions of
the world for providing ecosystem services such
as carbon sequestration, biodiversity
conservation, soil quality, and preserving air
and water quality (Thevathasan and Gordon
2004; Jose, 2009).
CONCLUSION
This paper reviewed agroforestry is an
important strategy to sequester C from both
developed and developing nations. Forest and
farm based agroforestry both have equally
important roles in reducing carbon emissions
and providing food security to the people of
rural areas. Agroforestry and sustainable
agricultural methods help to mitigate climate
change by sequestering and storing carbon in
the trees and in the soil. There is need of
management strategy of agroforestry in
developing countries for the climate change
adaptation. Traditional agroforestry mostly seen
in the midhills of Nepal should be changed
towards thecommercialization so that produce
green employment and conserve tree as source
of sink.
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... Agroforestry, with its ability to improve agricultural land use systems and confer enduring benefits while minimizing adverse environmental consequences at local and global levels, emerges as a pivotal strategy (Alao & Shuaibu, 2011;Bargali & Bargali, 2020;Padalia et al., 2018). Its role in fulfilling daily needs, such as fodder, fuel-wood, and dietary supplements from fruittrees, underscores its multifaceted contributions to rural livelihoods (Tiwari et al., 2017). The substantial carbon content within agroforestry systems, ranging from 12 to 228 MgC/ha with a median value of 95 Mg/ ha in terrestrial agro-ecosystems, highlights their potential to serve as carbon sinks (Nair et al., 2010). ...
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The study examined the agroforestry practices and preferential agroforestry trees among farmers in Lafia Local Government Area of Nasarawa State. One of the challenges facing developing countries is the production of sufficient food and fibre to meet the need of their ever increasing population. Agroforestry has been claimed to have the potential of improving agricultural land use systems and providing lasting benefits. The primary data for the study were collected using structured questionnaire. The result showed that four (4) types of agroforestry system such as Row/hedges, Trees on farm land, Scattered trees on farm land, and Wind break were practiced. The result of preferrential agroforestry trees showed that fruit tree species like Mangifera indica, Anacardium occidentale, Citrus species, Psidium guajava, Tamarindus indica, and some indigenous species such as Parkia biglobosa, Vitellaria paradoxa, Adan-sonia digitata, Elaise guineensis, Azadirachta indica, Khaya senegalensis which have the potentials to meet their needs in terms of food, fibre, financial provision, environmental protection and soil fertility improvement were mostly preferred. The result of the assessment using CBRD at P > 0.05 showed that there were no significant differences in agroforestry practices among farmers in the study area, and also there were no variations in the species preferred by the farmers in the study area.The implication of the findings is that agroforestry development is a possibility and a necessity. The system of agroforestry practices and the preferred agroforestry tree species presents huge opportunities for raising food production and developing forestry practices in the study area.
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The study aims an investigating for the implication of tree based land use pattern to smallholder farmers’ food insecurity coping mechanism. Information on household characteristics, purpose of land use practices, household food security situation and tree based land use has contributed to household food security were collected through household interviews. About 11% of the total households were randomly selected for the study. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation analysis and chi square test. About 43.9 % of the respondents undertook land use pattern in a form of homegarden, coffee farm and farm. Pearson correlation results showed that there was no association between land use pattern and household land holding size (r (93) = -0.141, p=.177). The result also showed that about 88% of the respondent were attained food security through local purchasing from local market ranging from a month to six months depending on households. Agroforestry helped the households to attain food security as source of cash for all assessed households and as a source of food for 72% of the assessed households. Pearson correlation results showed that there was positive relationship between household food security and tree based land use system (r (98) =.246, p=0.016). Analysis of chi square result showed households with tree based land use system were more likely to attain food security (x2=4.324, df=1, N=98, P=.038).
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Agroforestry is a new concept of land management, especially in North America; therefore quantitative data are rare if not nonexistent on most aspects of it. Carbon sequestration potential of agroforestry systems is one such little-studied area. In the discussion on C storage potential of any land-use system, it is important that the system characteristics and processes governing their functioning are understood adequately. Since such basic information about agroforestry systems is not widely known, in this chapter we will first present background information on the key concepts of agroforestry and major types of agroforestry systems in North America. We then examine the C sequestration potential of agroforestry systems and discuss management considerations and research needs for exploiting the potential.
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Climate change is taking place. It is not clear what costs the farmers face and benefit receive as the impact of the climate change. The paper assesses the costs of climate change on agriculture using literature review and deductive logic. The farmers have to bear direct and indirect costs of climate change and costs of adaptation. The direct costs involve yield decreases in crops and livestock and increase in costs of production. It also involves the costs from the increased risks of natural hazards. The indirect costs include the change in socioeconomic conditions, lost opportunities for the improvement of the living conditions and adaptation costs. Farmers are to bear heavy costs of climate change, much higher than the benefits. The benefits emerge from shortening of crop lifecycle, increase of growing seasons and carbon fertilization that increases the crop production. The study emerges with policy measures for reducing the costs of the climate change the farmers bear. The Journal of Agriculture and Environment Vol:12, Jun.2011, Page 113-126 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/aej.v12i0.7571
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Climate change is likely to have significant impacts on the agricultural sector to which farmers will have to adapt. While agriculture is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, it is also a source of carbon storage in soils. This report examines the economic and policy issues related to the impacts of climate change on agriculture and adaptation responses and to the mitigation of greenhouse gases from agriculture. It outlines research undertaken and underway in other national and international research agencies. It also highlights some of the knowledge gaps on the impacts of climate change on food production and the uncertainties of those impacts in a global context that warrant further research efforts. In particular, the report analyses marginal abatement cost curves, which show the relative costs of achieving reductions in greenhouse gas emission through the implementation of different actions in the agricultural sector. The aim of the report is to help guide policy makers in the design of policies to address climate change issues in agriculture.