Urban and homegarden agroforestry in the Pacific islands: Current status and future prospects

Abstract

Pacific islanders traditionally had abundant, predominantly rural, agroforestry systems that provided a wide array of products for meeting the necessities of life, and conducive environments for the rich Pacific island cultures. In recent years, however, increasing urbanization and accompanying removal of trees and perennial agroforests (“agrodeforestation”) have resulted in the breakdown of these traditional agroforestry systems, accompanied by increasing economic, cultural, nutritional, and environmental problems, particularly in the urban areas. A critical analysis of the nature and future prospects of the urban and homegarden agroforestry systems in these rapidly urbanizing islands suggests that intensification and enrichment of these systems could serve as an important foundation for sustainable development. In addition to addressing the nutrition-related health problems, food security, poverty alleviation, and trade deficits, these systems also help protect and enrich the cultural traditions of Pacific peoples who are increasingly out-migrating from rural areas and embracing urban living.