In an article in the Irish Examiner, Patrick Worms, senior science policy adviser with the World Agroforestry Centre, compares himself to a used car salesman in his attempts to encourage farmers to incorporate trees into their “painstakingly cleared” fields.

“Trees are increasingly important to global food production,” writes Worms. “Nothing can supply the package of benefits they provide, from the cash of timber sales to erosion control and soil quality improvements, as effectively as they can.”

Agroforestry is now a modern science and tree-crop combinations are designed specifically for local conditions. But despite the multitude benefits – including protection for crops and animals, better water infiltration, supply of timber, fuel and fruits – agroforestry in Europe lags behind that of many developing countries.

Worms cites examples from the Sahel region of Africa, Indonesia and Zambia where agroforestry is helping farmers improve their production and providing them with a living.

Read the full story: Planting seeds for future as agro-forestry sector grows