Agroforestry
Agroforestry is a method of agriculture that integrates trees and shrubs with crops like corn, beans, and coffee. By taking advantage of the natural benefits of trees, small-scale farmers can use agroforestry to produce more using less land, easing their burden while improving their lands.
Though tropical forests are often destroyed for agriculture, EcoLogic is helping small farmers to reap the rewards forests offer by reintroducing trees onto their lands. By integrating trees into agricultural lands, small-scale farmers can:
- reduce erosion
- provide a source of organic fertilizer
- maintain a healthy climate for crops
- create habitat for local pollinators and wildlife
Moreover, the natural benefits of trees reduce the time and labor required of farmers, freeing them to spend more time with their families and their communities. Ultimately, these farmers are producing food in an environmentally-friendly way that, by increasing yields, reduces the need to clear more forests for agricultural lands.
Read more about why agroforestry is an important way to combat deforestation
In many projects, EcoLogic is using a fast-growing native tree species known locally as guama (Inga edulis). Grown alongside corn and beans, this tree provides a wealth of benefits:
The branches of the guama tree can be trimmed and the wood used for firewood, reducing the pressure on nearby forests.
As leaves fall and decompose, they provide organic material to replace nutrients and enrich the soil. The leaves also serve as mulch, suppressing the growth of weeds.
Trees shade the soil, cooling it and helping it to retain more moisture.
The roots of guama help with nitrogen fixation, converting atmospheric nitrogen into a form that can be used by plants.
Current EcoLogic projects that utilize agroforestry: