This webinar, the last in a series hosted by the Forest Water Champions in the run up to World Water Week 2021, will focus on Agroforestry. Featuring speakers from Agroforestry Network, FAO, IWMI, SIWI, Vi Agroforestry and World Agroforestry (CIFOR-ICRAF), this event will present the evidence for agroforestry as a nature-based solution (NBS) for water followed by a discussion on scaling it up.
The issue of food production for a growing population is one of the greatest challenges of our time. One that is often linked to high rates of ecosystem degradation. We must therefore find solutions for people and planet that allow us to grow food while halting deforestation, reducing degradation and promoting conservation and restoration. Agroforestry (farming systems with trees) is one nature-based solution used for centuries to improve food security and livelihoods while sustainably managing ecosystems and their functions, such as biodiversity and ecosystem service delivery.
While water-related ecosystem services are most often not the primary reason for adopting agroforestry, this practice can provide important water co-benefits for communities. For example, agroforestry may contribute to delivering water services, such as soil moisture and water recycling, as well as soil erosion control and flood risk mitigation. Considering these important benefits, we must ask the question, should water play a more prominent role in the promotion and adoption of agroforestry at landscape and national scales?
During this webinar, the discussion will focus on this question by addressing the challenges and solutions of scaling-up agroforestry using this water lens, including if such a strategy is possible or needed. The outcomes of this webinar, as well as the rest in series, will be presented at World Water Week 2021 and will also inform Forest-Water Champions’ next steps.
Programme
Welcome address – Tony Simons, World Agroforestry
Introduction to Forest-Water Champions – Malin Gustafsson, SIWI
Evidence for agroforestry as a nature-based solution for water and other benefits
- Margaret Muchanga, Farmer associated with Vi Agroforestry, part of Agroforestry Network
- Alok Sikka, IWMI and Shiv Dhyani, World Agroforestry
- Meine van Noordwijk, World Agroforestry
Facilitated discussion
moderated by Matilda Palm, Agroforestry Network, and Malin Gustafsson, SIWI
Closing remarks – Elaine Springgay, FAO