The continuous practice of planting crops together with trees highly increase on the productivity of the land in a given period of time which improves on farmer‘s income.
As agroforestry system reaches higher combined yields and better economic viability, initial investments are generally higher for intercropping systems and healthier ecosystem benefits intercropped plantations.
Landscape management
Being resilient and produce for longer for perenial crops, there is increased and balanced incomes throughout the year and the roots in ground improve soil health and productivity in long term. Tree roots protect from soil erosion, leaves improve on humus and trees support water infiltration and water holding capacity in soils.
Similarly they reduce on evapotranspiration and improve on microclimate in plantations and leguminous plants fix nitrogen for other crops. Bio diverse coffee and cocoa systems have more pollinators and beneficial organisms to reduce on pests and diseases incidents. If planting density is too high, the resulting humidity of the area humidity may lead to fungal diseases.
Furthermore, increased complexity of intercropping require more technical skills, work load, ability to continuously evolve and decision making. To mitigate climate change, it needs joint effort, enhancing climate smart farming and reduce deforestation.
Finally integrate intercropping and connect intensive land use with areas of high ecological value as diversity of land scales is key to more resilient and sustainable food system.
