The document discusses the World Agroforestry Centre's interest in promoting agroforestry through policy initiatives. It notes that policies can significantly impact agroforestry adoption and that the policy environment is complex. It proposes that an Agroforestry Policy Initiative could help coordinate research, identify policy barriers, and provide support to policymakers. The initiative would be collaborative and aim to stimulate discussion on mainstreaming agroforestry into national policies through various activities. The Centre has begun initial outreach and research relevant to such an initiative.

1. The World Agroforestry Centre’s interest in an Agroforestry Policy Initiative

2. Policies effect everyone and everything ( by their presence, absence, suitability, congruence) Tony Simons, PhD World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF), Kenya

4. statement of commitment

5. a governing principle

6. used to guide decisions

7. a set of rulesCan emanate from: Intergovernmental body National Government Municipal Authority Private Company Institution Consumer Group Association Village Individuals

8. Protecting national grain reserve – by government control

9. Fertiliser subsidy by donor grants

10. Investing in tobacco infrastructure versus fruit processing by private sector

11. Water access rights by community group

12. Investing in forestry education by a University

13. Fairtrade standards by certifying agency

14. Why an Agroforestry Policy Initiative? 1. Growing recognition of and interest in agroforestry Agroforestry practiced on roughly half of all agricultural lands globally Agroforestry recognized as a critical land use for climate change adaptation and mitigation Increased promotion of agroforestry by development organizations and calls for its upscaling, e.g. by the African ministers of agriculture, and through a new regulation law passed in Kenya

15. Prevalence of Agroforestry Recent studies show that: There are about 1 billion ha of agricultural land globally with at least 10% tree cover, representing 46 % of agricultural land Of this area, some 374mi ha have more than 30% tree cover National studies in several countries have found trees on farms to be increasing over time NB: Not all trees outside forests (TOFs) are necessarily in agroforestry formations. The purpose of planting/retaining trees and their use is an important consideration

16. Opportunities Urbanization and industrialization is opening new vistas for tree-based products Potential to reduce pressure on forests by planting trees that produce sought after products (e.g. timber) Rising awareness of the role of trees in livelihoods and environmental improvement Renewed interest to regenerate degraded lands Climate change mitigation and adaptation Increased policy recognition and interest

18. property rights laws or arrangements that may discourage agroforestry

19. fragmentation of agroforestry related mandates across ministries

20. incentives favoring short term over long term investment

21. Inadequate recognition, valuation, and reward of environmental services from agroforestry

23. Multi-sectoral approach to an improved policy environment for agroforestry Rural development – providing rural conditions conducive for promoting investment, growth, and prosperity in agroforestry and other enterprises (e.g. infrastructure, electricity) Agriculture – providing needed information services in agroforestry and catalyzing growth opportunities where private sector is absent or inefficient Forestry – creating incentives that conserve priority natural forest habitats while not discouraging planting, management, and harvesting of trees elsewhere in the landscape Environment (water, soils) – including agroforestry as an option to be used in appropriate conditions to address water and soil problems Commerce – including tree products among the opportunities analyzed for potential growth areas and support Lands – enhancing long term rights to communities and smallholders Energy, water etc

24. So the Concept of an Agroforestry Policy Initiative was hatched within ICRAF Explored by the ICRAF board in 2008 and became a formal research area in 2009 Internally, an API is useful to help coordinate and prioritize our research and knowledge to action efforts in the area of policy – e.g. help to clarify our major impact/outcome pathways But for an API to have significant outcomes or impact, ICRAF would ideally have a supportive research role within a wider demand driven process also involving partnership with FAO and other organizations closer to direct policy and development support

26. Planning documents

27. Laws, acts, & other legislation

28. Regulations, rules, procedures, guides

30. ICRAF role in an Agroforestry Policy Initiative To provide scientific leadership and evidence to the API in the following areas: (1) assessing the multiple domains of contributions of agroforestry to livelihoods and ecosystem services and quantifying them where possible, (2) identifying the nature of various policy constraints to agroforestry and measuring their extent and magnitude, (3) providing evidence on good policy practices that enhance agroforestry impacts on livelihoods and ecosystem services, (4) providing guidance on successful processes and approaches for policy reforms and implementation in agroforestry, and (5) providing a forum for learning and sharing knowledge within the API. And, with others, to catalyze and champion progress in improved polices for agroforestry

31. World Agroforestry Centre Progress in this area: 2009-2010 Presentations to raise awareness of agroforestry policy issues at the World Agroforestry Congress, August 2009, World Forestry Congress, October 2009 and now IUFRO 2010 Consultations with potential partners and users at the Agroforestry Congress Engaged in policy discussions at global and national level Undertaking various research activities of relevance to the initiative In process of hiring a policy scientist to join the initiative Joining the FAO led collaboration on ‘Agroforestry guidelines for national policy and decision making’ with CATIE and CIRAD.

32. In conclusion, We welcome thoughts and ideas on how we can forge partnerships and collaborative actions to: Stimulate greater awareness of the policy importance of agroforestry Identify best ways of supporting policy making processes that are relevant to agroforestry And especially to explore how our efforts can effectively reach to national levels, where policy changes can have the most profound impacts