Agroforestry and carbon farming are gaining attention as climate-smart approaches to sustainable African agriculture  [1].By integrating trees into farmland, these practices build soil health, diversify outputs and capture carbon. For example, Farm Africa’s Growing Green project in Kenya has engaged more than 21,500 farmers to plant trees on 14,175 ha, sequestering about 24,945 tCO₂ [2]. Farmers sell the resulting carbon credits and receive 80 % of the revenue [2]; many reinvest these earnings in school fees, farm inputs and alternative livelihoods.

Trees on farms also markedly improve soils and microclimate. Nitrogen-fixing trees can boost soil nitrogen by roughly 20 %[1] and shade crops from heat, while tree cover significantlyreduces erosion (often by 50–70 %) [1]. In Kenya’s Growing Green fields, farmers reported 20–40 % lower fertilizer use and a 30–50 % rise in soil organic matter after adopting agroforestry[2]. These soil gains increase moisture retention and nutrient availability, helping crops withstand drought and boosting productivity on degraded lands.

Food security and nutrition benefit as well. In mixed farms with trees, crop yields tend to rise and diets diversify. For example, maize yields were about 15 % higher where agroforestry was practiced in Malawi [1], improving calorie intake for many households. Tree crops provide fruits, nuts and leaves rich in vitamins (e.g. vitamins A and C, iron) that combat malnutrition[1]. In one systematic review, authors note that fodder, fuelwood and food from farm trees serve as vital buffers and food sources during lean seasons [3]. By broadening the range of farm products, agroforestry helps insulate rural diets from climate or market shocks.

Economic benefits are equally significant. Households earn additional income from sale of timber, fruit and carbon credits. In the Growing Green project, carbon-payments have become a new cash source, with most farmers using income to pay school fees or expand farm businesses [2]. Empirical studies show agroforestry can raise smallholder incomes by 30–40 % (or more) compared to non-forested farms [1]. These diversified revenues act as financial safety nets: fuelwood and forage from farm trees support families during crop failures and market downturns [3]. Overall, agroforestry-driven carbon finance and product sales not only increase the farmer’s income but alsohelps stabilize rural livelihoods.

Despite its promise, agroforestry faces hurdles. Many farmers lack awareness, extension support or technical training [1], so uptake remains low. Unclear land and tree-tenure rights can deter tree planting; one survey found that 40 % of Ugandan farmers avoid planting trees due to insecure ownership [1]. Moreover, policy support is limited: agroforestry often falls outside formal agricultural and climate plans [4]. Addressing these barriers will require targeted education, secure land and carbon rights, and integrated policies. In balance, however, projects like Growing Green demonstrate the strong co-benefits of agroforestry, enhanced soil health, food security and income,suggesting that with the right support, carbon farming on farms can be scaled up as a viable climate-resilient strategy in Africa.

Ecoclime Africa recognizes the value of such nature-based solutions and encourages policymakers, development partners, and investors to support the scale-up of agroforestry and carbon farming across the continent as part of a resilient and regenerative agricultural future.

Written by: Luckman Aborah Yeboah*, Wolalorm Makafui Zudor

References

[1]​D. R. Jung and O. Vendrametto, “Agroforestry for Food Security and Public Health: A Comprehensive Review,” International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2025, Vol. 22, Page 645, vol. 22, no. 4, p. 645, Apr. 2025, doi: 10.3390/IJERPH22040645.

[2]​“Agroforestry and carbon markets transform farming in eastern Kenya - Farm Africa,” Farm Africa. Accessed: Jun. 20, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://www.farmafrica.org/agroforestry-and-carbon-markets-transform-farming-in-eastern-kenya/

[3]​C. W. Muthuri, S. Kuyah, M. Njenga, A. Kuria, I. Öborn, and M. van Noordwijk, “Agroforestry’s contribution to livelihoods and carbon sequestration in East Africa: A systematic review,” Trees, Forests and People, vol. 14, p. 100432, Dec. 2023, doi: 10.1016/J.TFP.2023.100432.

[4]​R. Venn, F. E. Montero-de-Oliveira, J. Buratti-Donham, J. Eden, and S. Reinecke, “Policies for agroforestry, a narrative review of four ‘continental’ regions: EU, India, Brazil, and the United States,” Front Sustain Food Syst, vol. 8, p. 1417740, Dec. 2024, doi: 10.3389/FSUFS.2024.1417740/BIBTEX.