Trees are widespread in the five Sub-Saharan African countries studied, with more than 30% of all rural households reporting cultivating trees on their farms.

The economic contribution of on-farm trees is non-negligible: they provide 17% of total gross income among tree growing households and 6% on average across all rural households.

Gender, land and labor endowments, and especially forest proximity and national context are key determinants of on-farm tree adoption and management.

Policy Messages

Trees on farms in Sub-Saharan Africa are typically more widespread and important than previously thought. They provide a significant source of income for many households across the continent and, in some contexts, a measure of food security. Because data limitations prevent a proper account of the indirect (environmental effects of trees on farms (soil conservation, biodiversity, etc.), they are likely even more important than the numbers presented here suggest. The implication is that governments and others should raise the profile of trees as an important crop and recognize that trees on farms can be an integral part of landscape planning, particularly in the face of a changing climate.

Policy Research Working Paper

Read the working paper with the main findings of our research

PROFOR Blog

Read the blog with our main findings