The role of trees on farms in boosting production is highlighted in an article in Africa Green Media summarizing comments from a live chat about the future of sustainable agriculture.

Firstly, the panel of experts involved in the live chat acknowledged that we should not just accept climate change and population growth. Efforts still need to be made to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and in agriculture this can be achieved through intensifying production, protecting forests and improving farming practices. Population growth can be curbed through improving the health and education of girls.

In increasing agricultural production, the successful efforts of farmers in Niger to assist natural regeneration are described. Farmers who have allowed fertilizer trees such as Faidherbia albida to grow on their fields have improved their improve soil fertility and in some cases, yields of maize have doubled.

Smallholders need to be supported to scale-up agri-production enterprises, says the article. Assistance is needed in legal land tenure, global policies for a level playing field, access to capital and markets, structured training (both agriculture and business development) and investment in technology and infrastructure.

Investment in agricultural research and technology too needs a boost, as alternative or new varieties of crops will be needed to withstand the impacts of climate change.

Finally, the article states that we all have a role to play in achieving sustainability, from reducing food loss and waste to eating foods that have lower-impact and investing in sustainable production.

Read the full story: 10 things you need to know about sustainable agriculture