Leakey speaks on the Trees of Life

Agroforestry research started over three decades ago and initially focused on ways to improve soil fertility using trees and shrubs. Around 20 years ago work began on the domestication of tree species originally gathered from the forest but which, though still well liked and valuable, were now fast-disappearing; Roger Leakey was one of the pioneers of tree domestication.

In a recent public lecture hosted by the Center for Development Research (ZEF), University of Bonn, on the topic "Living with the trees of life: addressing poverty, hunger, malnutrition and environmental degradation,” Professor Leakey, Senior Research Fellow at the World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF), discussed the contribution and potential of tree domestication and agroforestry in all four areas.

He also shared his thoughts on sustainable development, which he said needs multi-sectoral approaches.“The narrowing of focus” by disciplines of study and research, he said, is “counter to the needs of the world.”

“We have a disconnect between disciplines, and between policies that govern our world…" In order to resolve issues such as poverty, hunger, malnutrition, and gender inequality, “we have to learn to speak across disciplines.”

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Watch the Interview and Public Lecture with Roger Leakey

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^{Related links:}

^{Living with the Trees of Life: Towards the Transformation of Tropical Agriculture [Book description/ordering information on CABI bookshop]}

^{Living with the Trees of Life [Facebook]}