Agroforestry prominent in stories of hope for the future of food

Food Tank has highlighted 101 stories of hope, innovation, and success in creating a better food system. The list is intended to  inspire “eaters, businesses, researchers, scientists, funders, donors and policy makers to create—and support—a more sustainable food system”.

Among those highlighted are several innovations relating to agroforestry:

  • Research by the World Agroforestry Centre which demonstrates how diverse forestry systems—forests that contain different types of trees—are an effective measure against soil erosion.
  • The book, Trees of Life, by Richard Leakey, former director of research at the World Agroforestry Centre, which highlights the ability of agroforestry to increase crop productivity and overcome global hunger and poverty, contributing to the livelihoods of more than 1.6 billion people.
  • Efforts by the municipality of Jakarta, Indonesia, to plant 40,000 fruit trees to provide free food to citizens and help tackle air pollution.
  • Dedication by the UN of 2014 as the International Year of Family Farming.
  • The use of underexploited indigenous foods, such as jackfruit to increase food security in the face of climate change by surviving in degraded and nutrient poor soil conditions.

Read the full story: 101 Facts That Make Us Hopeful About the Future of Food