Agroforestry a sustainable way to adapt to climate change

Abstract

Agricultural production across most of the dry regions of the world, especially in sub Saharan Africa is faced by multiple range of biophysical, socio-economic and policy constraints. In addition, the vulnerability of climate is considered the main obstruction that stands facing the sustainability of dry farming systems. Therefore, the inhabitants of these areas are often faced with high incidence of malnutrition and poverty caused by conflicts, harsh environment conditions such as low and unreliable rainfall, frequent droughts and fragile ecosystem resulting in low and declining land productivity. In Sudan, the total arid and semi arid lands is about half of the total country's area. This has a tremendous effect on the rural inhabitants given that agriculture is the source of living for more than 75% of the rural populations. As communities are exposed to unexpected or unforeseen changes in weather patterns and increased risk, there are growing concerns about the need for a farming system that can provide human needs while benefiting the ecological systems and their services. This paper portrays the variability of the ecological and socioeconomic conditions in the rainfed dry farming system of the Sudan and its problems. An indepth correlation between land degradation, crop yield decline and the impact of climate variability or climate change on the sustainability of the rainfed farming system is presented. Then agroforestry was presented, using the previous and current research results outcomes, as one of the adaptation strategies to mitigate climate change and the vulnerability of the rainfed agriculture. Agroforestry with its diverse systems, products and services, management practices, can be tailored to suit different ecological and economical conditions of the rainfed dry farming system. Agroforestry systems can play a critical role in moderating the microclimate; and have potential to limit carbon emissions and sequester carbon. They provide economically viable and environmentally friendly means to improve soil fertility; and have the capacity to enhance the efficiency use of rain water; as well as offering a major pathway for sustainable diversification of agricultural systems and incomes. Hence, agroforestry systems should be given special attention in the Sudan for their multidisciplinary nature where their usefulness is needed to reclaim degraded ecosystems or improve and sustain the current farming systems, where it can be adapted to counter foreseen or unforeseen climate changes.