Chances and challenges of agroforestry systems - Introduction to agroforestry in Switzerland

Introduction to Swiss agroforestry systems as well as the work on agroforestry at FiBL

Productivity on ecological organic farms in the tropics

This factsheet discusses some best organic practices for good yields in ecological organic systems, the role of diversity, and highlights some opportunities and challenges with selected crops in organic production. The information is based on long-term experiments and on-farm research conducted in the scope of three projects across different countries in Africa, as well as Bolivia and India. Further products in the series, e.g., posters, videos and more, are linked in the 'Further information' section on the last page of this factsheet

Wie sieht ein nachhaltiges Kakaoanbausystem aus?

Diversifizierte Agroforstsysteme sind eine produktive Alternative zu Kakaomonokulturen und steigern die Nachhaltigkeit sowohl von Biokakao als auch von konventionellen Systemen. Ihre Produktivität muss an der Gesamtheit der Produkte gemessen werden. Sie leisten einen Beitrag zum dringend notwendigen Wandel hin zu einer nachhaltigen und regenerativen Landwirtschaft im Hinblick auf Klimawandel, Biodiversitätsverlust, Entwaldung und Bodendegradation

Biodiversity and climate change adaptation on ecological organic farms in the Tropics

This factsheet introduces: how organic farmers can team up with a diversity of plants, animals and micro-organisms to increase their ability to adapt to changes and reduce risks. It describes farming practices that support biodiversity and adaptation to a changing climate and highlights some benefits that biodiversity can provide for farmers and society. The information is based on long-term experiments and on-farm research conducted in the scope of three projects across different countries in Africa, as well as Bolivia and India. Further products in the series, e.g., posters, videos and more, are linked in the ‘Further information’ section on the last page of this factsheet

Challenges and approaches in data management of LTE trials in tropical field sites: Experiences from two trials in India and Bolivia

Quality data is the key commodity of research projects. But with the size of a research project, number of parties involved and range of data collected, the complexity of data management increases significantly. In long-term experiments (LTE), continuity and comparability of collected data throughout the study duration is important but being challenged by personnel changes and development in infrastructure and technology, as well as changes to the trial itself. Managing a longterm trial remotely at field sites in the tropics adds another layer of challenges, including timely transfer of new data, time consuming pre-processing and validation of data between field and scientific staff, data literacy of local field staff and language barriers due to varying levels of English and local languages within the project team. We share our challenges in data management and the strategies and tools used in the context of two LTE trials with field sites in India and Bolivia, managed by local partner organizations and coordinated by the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture in Switzerland, highlighting the technical infrastructure in use, definition of responsibilities and workflows. Our main considerations are a) finding a balance between data security, easy and timely sharing of data in both directions and minimising number of different data repositories and file versions, b) the use of simple, well-known tools that are flexible enough to consider (evolving) needs of different involved parties including field staff, and c) the importance of quick data availability for analysis to serve as a basis for decision making in trial management

Productivity and income in 5 different cocoa production systems

Cocoa agroforestry systems, combining cocoa with timber and fruit trees, are mainly promoted for their environmental benefits. Knowledge gaps exist about the economic performance of such systems. Here we present the productivity and income of 5 cocoa production systems from planting to entering the mature stage 11 years)

Participatory training approach of sharing knowledge and research results for better adoption of organic cocoa agroforestry systems

Agroforestry systems offer many benefits, such as diversifying incomes and reducing input costs. However, planning and managing diversified systems is knowledge intensive, and needs constant observation and adaptation to specific contexts by the farmers. Therefore, sharing knowledge between farmers, technicians and researchers critical for adoption of agroforestry systems that fit the respective situation and objectives. The dynamic agroforestry community has developed some principles that can be applied for regenerating degraded land with agroforestry systems by combining a variety of species, focussing on diversity and synergies instead of simplification and competition. These concepts, together with practical experiences, and research results are a complex set of information to be complemented with local knowledge of farmers (e.g. on species’ use, available resources, local markets). Here we share experiences from elaborating training materials and conducting a training of trainers based on research findings on cocoa agroforestry and practical experiences from working with dynamic agroforestry systems and organic cocoa for more than 25 years. We used a set of training materials and methods for awareness raising for the environmental and social benefits of agroforestry systems, for example simplified research methods like infiltration measurements. Some practical visualizations e.g. for erosion on surfaces after slash-and-burn vs. slash-and-mulch, or dry run exercise for the installation and development of dynamic agroforestry plots. These methods help to understand processes that are happening on larger spatial or temporal scale. Field visits to research plots as well as farmers fields and discussions based on associated data were central. In conclusion, sharing of scientific results combined with practical and visual experiences give technicians the confidence to multiply the experiences with their farmers. While demoplots are crucial for working with farmers, additional videos describing the design and management of agroforestry systems, farmers’ testimonials, and some research results directly from the field can be helpful

Effects of pruning on workload and yields of native cacao under agroforests in Bolivia

Cacao Nacional Boliviano (CNB) is the denomination for cacao derived from wild populations found in the Bolivian Amazon, traditionally collected by local communities. But cultivation surfaces are increasing as CNB beans are recognised internationally for their organoleptic qualities. So far, little selection has been done on the semi-wild populations cultivated and agricultural practices might have to be adapted to better support farmers’ livelihoods. We studied three different agricultural systems: CNB in agroforestry with bananas, fruit and timber trees with a management focusing on weeding and cacao pruning (AF); CNB planted in the cleared understory of a largely unmanaged secondary forest with (SFwP) or without (SFnP) cacao tree pruning. We monitored the yearly dry bean yield, labour time required for field activities, and resulting efficiencies of these three systems on plots established in 2012. Cacao was planted using CNB progenies from locally selected trees. In all systems, the first cocoa pods matured 4 years after planting; production increased significantly in the 6th year and again between the 9th and 11th year. Cumulative dry yields in this third phase (2020-2022) were highest in SFnP (911.2 kg/ha), followed by AF (591.2 kg/ha) and SFwP (277.8 kg/ha). Heavy pruning was labour-intensive (up to 56% of total labour time) and limited yields but increased harvesting efficiency in the following years without pruning. In 2020-2022, harvesting in SFnP was 5 times more laborious as in SFwP and 2.7 times more as in AF, while its yield was only 3.3 and 1.5 times higher, respectively. Harvesting efficiency was thus higher in both pruned systems (AF: 7.3 kg/Workday, SFwP: 6.7 kg/WD), compared to the unpruned system (4.4 kg/WD). Our results underline the delicate balance between the practice of pruning, aiming at facilitating and concentrating the harvest at a limited height, and its effect on cacao physiology. Yet, association in AF shows that in completely managed systems, CNB is able to reach fair yield levels despite pruning. All in all, our results call for further domestication of CNB progenies aiming at earlier start of production, and adaptation of management practices (timing and intensity of pruning) for CNB

What is the contribution of organic agriculture to sustainable development? A synthesis of twelve years (2007-2019) of the “long-term farming systems comparisons in the tropics (SysCom)”

The SysCom Program compares different agricultural production systems (primarily organic and conventional) in three tropical countries (Kenya, India, and Bolivia). This report aims to provide a synthesis of the findings of 12 years of research in the three countries in a way that is easily comprehensible by specialists and non-specialist alike. It focuses on productivity, profitability, soil fertility, and other aspects of system performance such as product quality, biodiversity, resource use efficiency, and agroecosystem resilience. The report is divided into eight main sections: The first section, conclusions, addresses the findings with regards to the question, “What is the contribution of organic agriculture to sustainable development?”. This section is dedicated to the readers who are only interested in a short comprehensive overview of the results. The second section, the introduction, explains the program’s background and objectives. The following sections present the main findings on productivity, profitability, soil fertility, and other aspects of system performance. These sections start with a summary of the key findings, which are then explained in more detail on the concrete research results. They are designed for readers interested in an in-depth understanding of the facts behind inferences as well as the methodology. At the end of each subsection, references to the relevant scientific publications are provided for further reading. Technical jargon has been kept to a minimum and wherever possible explanations are provided in footnotes. The seventh section includes policy recommendations and offers sound advice for policy development. Finally, the annexes provide more information about the SysCom program, including the programs’ phases, a detailed description of the different sites and the local contexts, as well as SysCom’s capacity building and dissemination efforts

Agroforestry systems for cocoa production.

The presentation gives an overview on cacao production systems and results from the long-term systems comparison trial in Bolivia