The CGIAR Research Program on Forests, Trees and Agroforestry (FTA) participated in February in the “Working across sectors to halt deforestation and increase forest area” conference organized by the Collaborative Partnership on Forests. FTA coorganized two sessions with partners including the International Union of Forest Research Organizations (IUFRO).

The session on the role of science and research showed how science-based innovations have the potential to revolutionize the way forests and landscapes are monitored and managed, thus having the ability to help stop deforestation and sustainably increase forest areas. Read the full article to find out about the panel’s conclusions.

Following that was the Asia-Pacific Rainforest Summit in April, at which FTA was a science partner and saw a number of scientists participating. Coming up soon is the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA), on the sidelines of which FTA and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) will hold two consultations. And later on May 11, FTA is supporting a much-anticipated webinar on landscape transformation.

All this shows FTA to be a robust partnership, focused on research for development across a wide range of themes. Read on to learn more about the program’s latest initiatives and results, and please contact us at cgiarforestsandtrees@cgiar.org if you have any questions or comments.

Vincent Gitz, FTA Director

Agroforestry sites in Vietnam provide lessons for farmland in Bhutan and Nepal

The steep upland farming areas of Bhutan, Nepal and Vietnam share similar challenges in establishing sustainable agricultural practices that improve livelihoods and the environment. To share knowledge and experience from the steeply sloping landscapes of Northwest Vietnam, government officers from Bhutan and Nepal traveled to the country to explore an array of well-developed agroforestry systems, demonstration sites, plantations and nurseries.

Greater inclusion of women is needed to optimally intensify cocoa value chains

The valley of the rivers Apurimac, Ene and Montaro (VRAEM), a region of Peru which produces approximately 70 percent of the country’s illicit coca, is now also of importance to cocoa production as governmental agencies, cocoa buyers and development programs have been seeking to help expand and intensify cocoa production. Smallholders who had abandoned their farms after many years of conflict have now returned and are seeking alternatives to cocoa production.

New children’s book teaches the sustainable traditions of West Timorese honey hunters

This new book about honey harvesting in West Timor, Indonesia, contributes to increasing benefits from small-scale forestry management practices that use forests to support livelihoods while sustainably managing landscapes. The book shows the Olin-Fobia community’s annual tradition of harvesting wild honey from the nearby Mount Mutis Nature Reserve.

Study examines bamboo value chains to support industry growth

Despite a significant contribution to the economy, the bamboo industry in Indonesia remains underdeveloped. In terms of policy, bamboo is also often overlooked, with timber receiving much more attention. More assistance could help to support the industry, which is currently seen as underdeveloped and missing out on opportunities according to this article.

Local wood businesses find better global opportunities with sustainability certification

The economy of Jepara, Indonesia – almost completely dedicated to wood products – has experienced booms and busts over the decades. The 1998 Asian financial crisis actually opened up its export market, but 2008’s global economic collapse meant declines in exports and a return to reliance on local buyers. Supporting the use of certified and legal wood and improved supply chains is now benefitting the town’s many small- and medium-scale enterprises.

Silviculture techniques help farmers improve income and develop more productive agricultural systems

Planting timber in agricultural systems is a common practice in Indonesia. Farmers often cultivate timber together with other crops to diversify, increase and stabilize their income. Timber acts as a savings bank, to be harvested when funds are needed. Appropriate silvicultural techniques that ensure the best growth of timber need to be promoted to farmers, according to experts.

What does restoring the world’s forests mean for women’s rights?

Around the world, millions of hectares of land are being reforested as part of global efforts to combat climate change, restore ecological integrity and improve human well-being. But it’s not just a matter of planting trees on empty lands. As in any landscape, the areas where restoration efforts are taking place are overlaid with uses, histories and political dynamics – including different rights and responsibilities for men and women.

Halting deforestation is ‘everyone’s fight’ 

Halting and reversing deforestation are key to achieving the SDGs and the objectives of the Paris agreement on climate change. In particular, Target 15.2 calls for halting deforestation by 2020, while the UN Strategic Plan for Forests adopted in 2017 by the UN General Assembly calls for reversing the loss of forest cover and increasing forest area by 3 percent worldwide by 2030.

Taking stock of ecosystem services in the mountains of southern Asia

Mountain forest ecosystems provide a wide range of benefits, not only to local residents, but to those living downstream: from reducing floods to stabilizing slopes and supporting rich biodiversity. Understanding these contributions is key to sustainably managing mountain forest services — but large-scale assessments are still rare, especially in data-poor regions.

Agroforestry offers pathways to sustainable landscape restoration

Agroforestry landscapes cover 1 billion hectares of land worldwide and make a significant contribution to the overall health of the planet. The introduction of trees to farms and landscapes for multiple productive purposes could play a key role in mitigating the impact of climate change. The practice – which can include scattered trees on farmland, intercropping, home gardens and tree crop systems – is growing increasingly popular worldwide.