Title
Diversity bears fruit: Evaluating the economic potential of undervalued fruits for an agroecological restoration approach in the peruvian amazon
Date Issued
02 April 2021
Access level
open access
Resource Type
journal article
Author(s)
Lagneaux E.
Jansen M.
Quaedvlieg J.
Zuidema P.A.
Anten N.P.R.
Corvera-Gomringer R.
Kettle C.J.
Publisher(s)
MDPI AG
Abstract
Agroforestry systems with a range of native and often neglected and underutilized tree species (NUS) are increasingly recognized for their potential role in restoration, simultaneously providing ecological and livelihood benefits. Successful adoption of these systems requires knowledge about beneficial species, system-level potential profitability, and barriers faced by farmers. Such information is essential but lacking for most NUS. We analyzed the economic potential of NUS in diverse smallholder-managed agroforestry systems in the Peruvian Amazon. Through semistructured surveys with local stakeholders (n = 40), we identified 10 native Amazonian NUS fruit with ecological, nutritious and commercial benefits. We then simulated the potential revenue per species and system-level profit of an agroforestry system designed with the 10 NUS. Our projections suggest that a diverse NUS-based agroforestry system can outcompete most alternative land-uses in the region on a per hectare profit basis. This shows that including NUS in restoration efforts could provide economic benefits for smallholders. To realize this potential, we recommend adapted interventions, e.g., increased farmer access to planting material, technical support for production and capacity building with a focus on high-potential NUS.
Volume
13
Issue
8
Language
English
OCDE Knowledge area
Agricultura
Subjects
Scopus EID
2-s2.0-85105245132
Source
Sustainability (Switzerland)
ISSN of the container
20711050
Sponsor(s)
This study was financially supported by the Coop Research Program of the ETH Zurich World Food System and by the Forest Trees and Agroforestry program of the CGIAR. E.L. acknowledges funding of the Stichting Het Kronendak. M.J. additionally acknowledges funding from the Swiss National Science Foundation (P400PB_191055/1).
Funding: This study was financially supported by the Coop Research Program of the ETH Zurich World Food System and by the Forest Trees and Agroforestry program of the CGIAR. E.L. acknowledges funding of the Stichting Het Kronendak. M.J. additionally acknowledges funding from the Swiss National Science Foundation (P400PB_191055/1).
Sources of information:
Directorio de Producción Científica
Scopus