Integrating trees with cattle is increasing production, reducing the amount of land needed for farming and decreasing fertilizer use in Columbia.

Yale Environment 360 tells the story of cattle rancher, Carlos Hernando Molina, who now grows native, high-value timber species such as mahogany and samanea as live fences on his farm. The protein-rich leucaena is grown in pastures to feed the cattle and improve soil quality.

These interventions are seeing Molina’s milk and meat production double. “His operation is part of a trend globally to sustainably coax more food from each acre — without chemicals and fertilizers — while reducing greenhouse gas emissions, increasing biodiversity, and enhancing the land’s ability to withstand the effects of climate change,” says the article.

This silvopastoral system is just one type of agroforestry system being practiced in Columbia. Farmers also integrate trees with coffee, corn and wheat to improve the quality of soils and increase their income through the additional food and timber products that trees provide.

The article says that although agroforestry has many benefits, the cost and technical complexities are among the factors holding it back. Public-private partnerships are now emerging to support conversion to silvopastoral systems as well as donor assistance.

Read the full story: In the Pastures of Colombia, Cows, Crops and Timber Coexist