The World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) reported that the Evergreen Agriculture Project operating in 17 countries in sub-Saharan Africa, won the UK Climate Week Award for "the Best Initiative Run by a Governmental or Statutory Body."
5 March 2013: The World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) reported that the Evergreen Agriculture Project, which is operating in 17 countries in sub-Saharan Africa, won the UK Climate Week Award for “Best Initiative Run by a Governmental or Statutory Body.”
The project, “Evergreen Agriculture: feeding the world’s poor, sustainably,” promotes the integration of trees into crop and livestock systems and, as such, links closely to ICRAF’s work in the region. Examples of results achieved though the adoption of agroforestry techniques in Africa include: an increase in cereal yields of about 30%; carbon sequestration of between two and four tons per hectare per year; and reduced greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of the order of around 1.6 to 3.5 carbon ton equivalents.
The project is intended to improve food security and farm incomes by promoting inter-cropping, sustainable soil management, increased efficiency of water use, and reduced vulnerability to risks such as drought. Specific techniques included in Evergreen Agriculture include: farmer-managed natural regeneration of trees; conservation agriculture that incorporates trees; and the planting of trees on what is usually tilled agricultural land.
ICRAF is a member of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). [ICRAF Press Release] [Evergreen Agriculture Website]