Definition and concepts of agroforestry

Abstract

The term agroforestry was coined in 1977 as part of the early international efforts to initiate research on integrated production systems involving crops and trees. Numerous discussions and arguments were held during those early days to define and characterize agroforestry, and several definitions were proposed. This chapter reviews the development of the concept and the many definitions that had been proposed. The basic concept that is common to all diverse agroforestry practices is the purposeful growing or deliberate retention of trees with crops and/or animals in interacting combinations for multiple products or benefits from the same management unit. Today, agroforestry represents the modern, science-based approach to harnessing the sustainability attributes and production benefits of time-tested practices of integrating trees in agricultural systems for a variety of objectives. Its demonstrated role in sustaining crop yields, diversifying farm production, realizing ecosystem services, and ensuring environmental integrity in land use has received increasing attention in development programs and paradigms around the world.