World Agroforestry Centre

World Agroforestry Centre is an international institute that seeks to improve livelihoods and the environment through agroforestry and sustainable land use practices, working closely with Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, International Fund for Agricultural Development, and United Nations Environment Programme. The centre's work is guided by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Sustainable Development Goal 2 and Sustainable Development Goal 13, and is supported by Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, European Union, and Australian Government. As a member of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research, the centre collaborates with other renowned institutions such as International Rice Research Institute, International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center, and International Potato Center.

● Introduction

The World Agroforestry Centre is headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, and has offices in Bogor, Indonesia, and Hanoi, Vietnam, among other locations, working in partnership with African Forest Landscape Restoration Initiative, Global Environment Facility, and International Union for Conservation of Nature. The centre's research focuses on tree domestication, soil conservation, and biodiversity conservation, drawing on expertise from University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, and Wageningen University and Research. By working with smallholder farmers, indigenous communities, and local governments, the centre aims to promote sustainable agriculture and climate-resilient practices, in line with the principles of Agenda 21 and the Paris Agreement. The centre's work is also informed by the research of prominent scientists such as Norman Borlaug, M.S. Swaminathan, and Wangari Maathai.

● History

The World Agroforestry Centre was established in 1978 as the International Council for Research in Agroforestry (ICRAF), with the support of Ford Foundation, Rockefeller Foundation, and World Bank. In the 1980s, the centre began to focus on agroforestry research in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, collaborating with University of California, Berkeley, University of Wisconsin–Madison, and Cornell University. The centre's early work was influenced by the research of John F. Kennedy, Julius Nyerere, and Jawaharlal Nehru, and was supported by United States Agency for International Development, Canadian International Development Agency, and German Agency for International Cooperation. In the 1990s, the centre expanded its research to include land degradation, deforestation, and climate change, working with Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, United Nations Development Programme, and World Wildlife Fund.

● Research_and_Development

The World Agroforestry Centre conducts research on agroforestry systems, tree improvement, and soil science, in collaboration with Chinese Academy of Sciences, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, and Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation. The centre's research focuses on the development of climate-resilient agroforestry practices, such as agroforestry parklands and silvopasture systems, drawing on expertise from University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign, University of Florida, and Texas A&M University. The centre also works on the development of tree seed systems and forest restoration techniques, in partnership with The Nature Conservancy, World Resources Institute, and International Tropical Timber Organization. The centre's research is informed by the work of prominent researchers such as E.O. Wilson, Jane Goodall, and James Hansen.

● Programs_and_Initiatives

The World Agroforestry Centre implements a range of programs and initiatives, including the African Forest Landscape Restoration Initiative, Global Agroforestry Program, and Trees for Food Security Program, in collaboration with African Development Bank, Asian Development Bank, and Inter-American Development Bank. The centre also works on youth empowerment and gender equality initiatives, such as the Young Agroforestry Leaders Program and the Women in Agroforestry Program, supported by Mastercard Foundation, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and David and Lucile Packard Foundation. The centre's programs are designed to promote sustainable livelihoods and environmental conservation, in line with the principles of Convention on Biological Diversity and United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification.

● Partnerships_and_Collaborations

The World Agroforestry Centre partners with a range of organizations, including United Nations agencies, non-governmental organizations, and private sector companies, such as Nestle, Unilever, and Coca-Cola. The centre collaborates with research institutions such as University of Nairobi, University of Ghana, and University of Indonesia, and works with governments such as Government of Kenya, Government of Indonesia, and Government of Vietnam. The centre is also a member of the CGIAR Consortium of International Agricultural Research Centers, which includes International Center for Tropical Agriculture, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, and International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics. The centre's partnerships are supported by European Commission, United States Department of Agriculture, and Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

● Impact_and_Achievements

The World Agroforestry Centre has made significant contributions to the development of agroforestry and sustainable land use practices, working with smallholder farmers and indigenous communities to promote sustainable livelihoods and environmental conservation. The centre's research has informed policy decisions at the national and international levels, including the development of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals and the African Union's Agenda 2063. The centre's work has also contributed to the development of climate-resilient agroforestry practices and the restoration of degraded landscapes, in partnership with Green Belt and Road Initiative, African Forest Landscape Restoration Initiative, and Global Environment Facility. The centre's impact is recognized by Nobel Peace Prize, Right Livelihood Award, and Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement. Category:International organizations