Role of Agroforestry on Farmland Productivity in Semi-arid Farming Regions of Zimbabwe

Abstract

Farmland productivity is low in the semi-arid regions (NR IV and V) of Zimbabwe due to desertification and land degradation. Nevertheless, demand for food is increasing geometrically hence the need to increase output per unit area. Agroforestry (AF) which is an ecologically based and dynamic system that integrates multi-purpose trees on farms can increase productivity and offer resilience to climate change vagaries. However, the role of AF in Zimbabwean smallholder farming systems is still not well investigated. Therefore, this review explores the role of agroforestry on agricultural productivity in the semi-arid regions of Zimbabwe. The aim was to enhance sustainable food security among the rural poor through sustainable agriculture. Incorporating multi-purpose trees on agricultural lands can significantly restore soil productivity and offer soil resilience to erosion by water and wind. If well implemented, the AF can be a viable option in mitigating the impacts of drought on agriculture in these drier and marginalized areas.