Assessment of drought-resilient agroforestry systems for smallholder farms in Sub-Saharan Africa: productivity, carbon sequestration, and stakeholder livelihoods

Project Abstract

Drought poses a critical constraint on smallholder agriculture in Sub-Saharan Africa, undermining crop yields, livelihoods, and ecosystem services, while agroforestry offers a viable pathway to enhance resilience, productivity, and carbon sequestration. This study evaluates drought-resilient agroforestry configurations across representative agroecological zones, quantifying their effects on crop and timber yields, soil moisture dynamics, microclimate regulation, and carbon stocks over a five-year period. A mixed-methods approach integrates on-farm experiments, farmer participatory trials, remote sensing, and market chain analysis to capture biophysical performance, socio-economic viability, and stakeholder livelihoods. The experimental component compares traditional single-species cropping with diversified configurations incorporating leguminous trees, drought-tolerant fruit and multipurpose species, and improved fallow regimes under varying rainfall scenarios. Measurements include above- and below-ground biomass, soil organic carbon, moisture retention, leaf area index, weed suppression, pest and disease incidence, and yield of staple crops (maize, sorghum, legumes) coupled with tree- and fodder-production metrics. Economic analysis encompasses cost-benefit, risk-adjusted profitability, and livelihood indicators such as household income diversification, food security, and nutritional outcomes. Social dimensions are explored through participatory-appraisal methods, stakeholder mapping, gendered access to resources, and governance structures that influence adoption and maintenance of agroforestry practices. Anticipated results indicate that drought-resilient agroforestry systems improve productive stability under water-limited conditions by enhancing soil fertility, improving microclimates, and reducing evapotranspiration, while simultaneously increasing carbon sequestration through accelerated biomass accumulation and soil carbon stabilization. The study also probes trade-offs between short-term yield reductions and long-term gains in resilience and climate mitigation, identifying optimal species combinations, spatial configurations, and management regimes tailored to local contexts. Policy-relevant outputs include a decision-support toolkit for farmers and extension agents, guidelines for seedling procurement and maintenance, and scalable models for integrating agroforestry into national drought adaptation plans. The research elaborates a framework for evaluating resilience that synthesizes biophysical performance with livelihood outcomes, enabling stakeholders to quantify carbon benefits, monetize ecosystem services, and align agroforestry adoption with climate-smart agriculture objectives. Findings are expected to demonstrate measurable improvements in water use efficiency, soil health indicators, and diversified income streams, while highlighting constraints such as upfront establishment costs, land tenure uncertainties, and knowledge gaps in species selection. The study contributes to advancing sustainable land-use intensification in Sub-Saharan Africa by providing empirical evidence, scalable strategies, and stakeholder-driven insights that bridge production, conservation, and climate resilience, thereby supporting resilient food systems and equitable livelihoods in drought-prone landscapes.

Project Overview

What This Project Is About

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A plain-language overview of the topic and what the project investigates.

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The Problem It Addresses

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What problem or gap this project tackles and why it matters to the field or society.

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Objectives of the Project

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1. Identify drought-resilient agroforestry practices suitable for smallholder farms in Sub-Saharan Africa.
2. Assess how these practices affect crop productivity and farm income.
3. Estimate carbon sequestration benefits and potential climate co-benefits.
4. Explore how farmers and communities participate and benefit from agroforestry systems.

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What You Will Do Step by Step

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1. Review existing literature on agroforestry and drought resilience.
2. Choose study sites with varying rainfall patterns and farm sizes.
3. Collect data on tree-crop combinations, yields, and management practices.
4. Measure or estimate carbon storage using simple field measurements and?? data.
5. Analyze relationships between practices, productivity, and carbon results.
6. Interview farmers and stakeholders to understand livelihoods and adoption barriers.
7. Synthesize findings into practical recommendations for farmers and policy makers.

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Expected Outcome

An evidence-based set of agroforestry recommendations that boost resilience, improve yields, and enhance carbon sequestration while supporting livelihoods.