A new publication reviews experiences in Malawi with on-farm tree crops, assessing the challenges and providing recommendations for the future.

Malawi has a rapidly growing rural population, high levels of poverty and food insecurity. Biomass use in the country now exceeds production in some areas and there is widespread deforestation.

The restoration of tree cover is seen as critical for soil conservation, food security, local energy supply, construction materials and medicines as well as to provide diversified incomes.

While the Government of Malawi has taken several steps to provide incentives for agroforestry, on-farm tree planting and woodlot establishment, the policies have not resulted in significant entrepreneurial activity. This new publication looks at how this is either due to a lack of resources or entrenched views that inhibit change.

Published by the International Institute of Sustainable Development (IISD), the publication is titled: Trees on-farm: Removing the obstacles to enterprise.