Global research priorities

In 2008 the World Agroforestry Centre organized its research around six global research priorities (GRPs) which address both livelihood and landscape issues. These are not stand-alone and many of our scientists work in two or three of the priority areas.

Quality trees

Increasing farmers' access to improved germplasm of priority tree species and ensuring better functioning of tree seed and seedling supply systems.

On-farm productivity

Improving agroforestry systems to make them more productive, profitable, appropriate to local settings and sustainable in the long-term.

Marketing and extension

Expanding smallholders' access to value chains for agroforestry tree products and improving their incomes and livelihoods through better marketing.

Land health

Developing multi-scale and widely usable methods and tools to quantify and map major risks to land health at different scales.

Climate change

Improving the stability of farming systems and livelihood strategies of smallholder farmers in light of current climate variability and long-term climate change.

Environmental services

Better understanding the role of trees in protecting watershed services, storing carbon and maintaining biodiversity, so that better policies can be developed and incentives created for maintaining trees within landscapes.

In addition, the World Agroforestry Centre manages the Alternatives to Slash and Burn Partnership for the Tropical Forest Margins. This collaboration aims to develop innovative policies and practices that increase productivity and income for rural households without worsening deforestation or undermining essential environmental services.