Agroforestry systems: Increase and diversification of food production as a strategy for landscape restoration in the northwest of Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil

Abstract

The present study describes the experience with an agroforestry system developed by the
farmer Genilson, at Sítio Nova Aliança in Santo Antônio de Pádua, RJ. The property is a Participatory
Research Unit, established with the support of Rio Rural program and a network of
local and regional partners. Due to deforestation, severe degradation of soil and water bodies,
today the northwest region has a semi-arid climate, representing another obstacle to rural development.
Transition to agroforestry system allowed an increase and diversification of production,
besides guaranteeing harvests throughout all months of the year, which was not feasible
in the previous production system. The results of this experience, which is being shared and
disseminated in the region, show the great potential of agroforestry systems as a measure of
ecological intensification and adaptation to climate change, contributing for increasing socio-
-ecological resilience at the landscape level.