Structured Stakeholder Engagement Leads to Development of More Diverse and Inclusive Agroforestry Options

A novel approach combining local knowledge with structured stakeholder engagement has successfully generated diverse and inclusive agroforestry options, addressing the limitations of traditional monoculture-focused strategies. In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), around Virunga National Park—a global biodiversity hotspot—this method identified over 70 tree species suited to varied local conditions, benefiting a broader range of stakeholders, including women and marginalized groups. Unlike conventional approaches that rely on a few priority species, this inclusive process also highlighted key interventions for scaling up adoption, such as improved access to quality planting material, capacity-building in extension systems, and collective market strategies. The findings demonstrate how integrating local and global scientific knowledge, alongside broad-based stakeholder participation, can foster more productive and resilient landscapes, offering a scalable model for agroforestry development.

DUMONT, E. S., BONHOMME, S., PAGELLA, T. F., & SINCLAIR, F. L. (2017). STRUCTURED STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT LEADS TO DEVELOPMENT OF MORE DIVERSE AND INCLUSIVE AGROFORESTRY OPTIONS. Experimental Agriculture, 55(S1), 252–274. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0014479716000788