Despite government commitments to reduce net deforestation to zero, millions of farmers depend on agricultural land converted from forests. Unsustainable agricultural practices lead to poor soil health, creating pressure to clear more land for cultivation and reinforcing the cycle of deforestation and degradation. Silvopastoral agriculture could reverse this destructive trend. Trees, shrubs and improved grasses on grazing land help minimize erosion and improve soil health while providing shade and feed for livestock. This translates into increased productivity, stocking rates and revenues. It also improves the prospects of smallholder farmers and helps mitigate climate change through carbon sequestration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This can only be achieved through collaboration between farmers, scientists, investors and governments. Such a framework is being implemented by the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT, now part of the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT) with WLE support to address the massive problem of deforestation in the Amazon. In Peru and Colombia, within whose territories almost a quarter of the Amazonian rainforest is contained, the Sustainable Amazonian Landscapes<\/a> project has applied a multi-scale landscape approach to the conversion of farmers to silvopastoral systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Aligning with national commitments on net zero deforestation, researchers are going beyond an understanding of restoration limited to planting trees to incorporating environmental and human wellbeing. They are working with local rural communities, regional and national governmental authorities, and research institutions to support farmers with production strategies to deliver ecosystem services and socio-economic benefits while mitigating climate change. The project designed, evaluated and implemented alternative agricultural options, then assessed changes with sustainability indicators, identified pathways and improved monitoring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n