Agroforestry Systems: A Systematic Review Focusing on Traditional Indigenous Practices, Food and Nutrition Security, Economic Viability, and the Role of Women

Abstract

This study aimed to identify from the literature review whether agroforestry systems have been an agricultural practice adopted by indigenous peoples for income generation and food and nutritional security. For this, a systematic review was conducted in the period from 2010 to 2020 of 92 articles, dissertations, and theses. Thus, it is found that agroforestry practices are traditional indigenous forms of farming that provide food security, income generation, and medicines, in addition to preserving biodiversity. Indigenous agroforestry is fundamental to indigenous culture, strengthening spiritual practices and the relationship with nature. Women have vital importance in the management of agroforestry practices because, through this productive practice, they ensure the food consumption of the family, besides generating income. However, women still face many difficulties in the countryside because their working hours are longer than those of men; besides not participating in decisions on the choice of species and form of management, in some countries, they still face difficulty accessing and owning land. The studies provide evidence on the economic viability of agroforestry systems. However, research gaps are identified that verify the economic and financial analysis of agroforestry models, which address the concerns of indigenous communities, aiming at food security. These analyses are essential for the implementation and continuity of the production system.

Optimization agroforestry to address green economy and climate change in Manokwari Regency, West Papua

“…Meanwhile, in the yard, we focus more on wood and fruit plants to provide vitamins and minerals and provide coolness around the yard, thereby reducing the use of air conditioners and saving energy. The carbon stock value obtained from these OAPs is higher when compared to calculations in several places in Indonesia for yards [37,38,39,40].…”

Loss of ancestral food practices and perception of its effect on children’s health among Inga indigenous grandmothers, Nariño, Colombia

“…In conclusion, although there are many experiences that describe ancestral knowledge and its potential benefits, including nutritional value and food security [ 55 , 56 ], the authors have not found any successful experiences published in the specialized literature. More studies are needed to explore possible interventions to recover ancestral food practices, as they are part of the Indigenous worldview.…”

Potentials and barriers to land-based mitigation technologies and practices (LMTs)—a review

“…Women and, especially, those in resource-poor and low-income countries, could be even more negatively impacted by large-scale expansion of LMTs due to deeply entrenched institutional barriers. For instance, in some parts of the world where patriarchal societies are common, women have a submissive role in farming decisions about, for example, crop choices and technology adoption (Gonçalves et al 2021). Women are consigned mostly to household duties and, in many societies, women are barred from land ownership (Gebrehiwot et al 2018), which impedes decision-making about LMT adoption.…”