Domestication, utilization and conservation of superior agroforestry germplasm

Trees can contribute significantly towards challenges and opportunities arising from climate change, deforestation, land degradation, crop intensification, food security, increased domestic and international trade, biotechnology and urbanization.

But to do so, the trees need to be productive and sustainable, and tree planting material has to be of good genetic quality, in good physiological condition, well matched to planting sites, and of high performance. Quality planting material and its accessibility is a key problem, in particular for the many tree planting smallholder farmers in developing countries.

Through our research, we aim to ensure smallholder farmers, their support agencies and researchers have access to the information, knowledge and skills needed to improve the productivity of agroforestry systems and therefore improve livelihoods and environments.

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