Forests and Food: How Agroforestry Can Enhance Food Security

International Day of Forests, observed annually on March 21, raises awareness of the importance of forests and their immense advantages for both our planet and humanity. The year’s theme, “Forests and Food”, emphasises the vital link between the forests and the security of the global food systems.

Forests, which cover about 31% of the earth’s land area and are home to over 80% of terrestrial biodiversity, play a vital role in addressing the challenges related to food security and laying the foundation for a resilient agricultural landscape. Forests provide essential food resources – such as fruits, nuts, mushrooms, and wild edible plants – and contribute to improving crop cultivation and agricultural productivity by maintaining soil quality and reducing pests through natural ecological processes. They also enhance food production, help in agriculture systems, and create a microclimate by providing shade and maintaining an optimum temperature that can protect crops from extreme weather conditions. When integrated into farming systems, forest ecosystems can create the ecological conditions necessary for developing sustainable food production, thereby enhancing food security and meeting the growing demand for food.

As per the Food and Agriculture Organisation, around 757 million people faced hunger worldwide in the year 2023. To meet global food needs, it is crucial to recognise the role of forests in food security and fulfilling the nutritional needs of the global population.

However, as the demand for food grows, the pressure on agricultural lands exacerbates. To address this, an agroforestry-based approach, by involving local communities, can provide a sustainable solution. Agroforestry, which integrates forest trees with crops and livestock, can enhance biodiversity, improve soil health, and empower local economies.

Agroforestry systems can offer a more diversified and stable food supply by building resilience into food systems. By combining perennial and annual species, these systems buffer households against seasonal hunger and crop failure. Further, agroforestry enables smallholder farmers, who produce a majority of the world’s food and often operate on degraded or marginal lands, to optimise their land use, diversify income streams, and enhance resilience to climate shocks, thereby strengthening food and livelihood security. 

The report ‘Forests, Trees, and Landscapes for Food Security and Nutrition’ by the International Union of Forest Research Organisations (IUFRO) underscores the need to apply an integrated landscape approach to achieve more sustainable agricultural systems. The report also highlights that agroforestry systems are important sources of revenue for local people and governments, which can contribute to food supply.

CRB’s work on integrating Capitals Approach – natural, social, human, and produced – into agriculture, particularly agroforestry, empowers agri-businesses and agri-startups through capacity building and support in strategic planning for more resilient and sustainable agricultural and food systems.

Different schemes and missions, including the National Agroforestry Policy 2014  by Government of India, provide support and financial assistance to promote agroforestry in India. Through these initiatives, the government aims to improve livelihoods, boost ecosystems and biodiversity, and expand forest areas. Agroforestry has reportedly helped small-holder farmers financially, restored forests, and enhanced agriculture by improving soil health across various states in India (here, here, and here).

This systemic approach should no longer be viewed as peripheral to agriculture but rather as integral to food system transformation.

Different dimensions of food security

As per World Food Summit 1996, food security is defined as when all people, at all times, have physical and economic access to sufficient safe and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life.

The above definition of food security highlights the four dimensions of food security viz. food availability, food access, utilisation, and stability. Agroforestry therefore contributes to each of these dimensions by providing diversified food sources, improving soil health, and maintaining consistent income providing more opportunities for small farmers. Below are the linkages between dimensions of food security and agroforestry practices:

• Food availability is defined as the availability of adequate amounts of food of suitable quality. Agroforestry ensures a consistent supply of food throughout the year by incorporating a wider range of food options, including fruits, vegetables, and nuts.
• Food access covers adequate access to resources for acquiring appropriate foods for a nutritious diet. Diversified food sources in agroforestry can lead to a more balanced and nutritious diet.
• Food utilisation covers the aspect of food utilisation through adequate diet, clean water, and health care. In some regions, agroforestry systems often include medicinal plants that provide health benefits.

Food stability focuses on access to adequate food at all times. Agroforestry practices help in preventing soil erosion and degradation, ensuring long-term agricultural productivity and food security.

Forests as social safety

Forests also act as a social safety net for rural and forest-dependent communities helping them to resist economic crisis and bridging gaps during food scarcity and seasonal shortfalls. There is a positive relationship between forests and food security and it can be explained in the following ways:

• Direct contribution by collection of fruits , vegetables, and other edibles found in and around forests
• Indirect contribution to the nearby agriculture system through ecosystem services like improved soil fertility, better nutrient availability, water provision, etc.
• Increased income contribution to the local communities by selling non-timber forest products (NTFP)
• Availability of fuelwood for cooking. It is estimated that around 2.4 billion people are estimated to depend on wood as their main source of energy for cooking.

Forest-based and agroforestry practices are embedded in traditional knowledge and governance practices employed by the rural communities and supporting these practices not only preserves biodiversity but also enhances local food sovereignty and autonomy.

Considering the dependency on forest resources for maintaining a productive food system,  there is an urgent need to prioritize the sustainable management of forests to maintain the environmental, social, and economic values of the forests for the benefit of present and future generations. 

Agroforestry, offering a science-based and climate-resilient model,  stands out as a strong contender that empowers smallholder farmers and strengthens local food systems. 

In conclusion, we should explore and address the interconnectedness of forests and food by reaffirming our commitment to sustainable development that respects the ecological balance of our planet.