Our work

The World Agroforestry Centre’s research is organized around six global research priorities. These span trees to farms, landscapes and global issues.

  • Domestication, utilization and conservation of superior agroforestry germplasm.
  • Maximizing on-farm productivity of trees and agroforestry systems.
  • Improving Tree Product Marketing for Smallholders.
  • Reducing land health risks and targeting agroforestry interventions to enhance land productivity and food availability
  • Improving the ability of farmers, ecosystems, and governments to cope with climate change.
  • Developing policies and incentives for multi-functional landscapes with trees that provide environmental services.

Underpinning all our research is a strong commitment to: improving science quality, accelerating impact, enhancing partnerships and increasing operational efficiency. By focusing on these areas, the Centre will be better positioned to tackle the challenges of poverty, food security and environmental degradation.

To read more about how we work, download the World Agroforestry Centre Strategy 2008-15.

Where we work

We work in six regions across sub-Saharan Africa (eastern, southern, and west and central) South and Southeast Asia, and Latin America. All of these regions share the interconnected problems of poverty, hunger and environmental degradation to varying degrees and offer opportunities for agroforestry interventions. However, large differences exist in the challenges and opportunities for agricultural development among the regions, as well as in the differing roles that agroforestry can play to meet them.

Our people

The Board of Trustees oversees the work of the World Agroforestry Centre; ensuring the Centre has a clear approach to achieving its mission and that an appropriate management structure and control systems are in place.

The World Agroforestry Centre Senior Leadership Team is responsible for implementing the Centre’s 2008-2015 Strategy and day to day operations of the Centre.

Senior scientists at the World Agroforestry Centre come from an array of disciplines, including foresters, economists, soil scientists and social scientists. Their high-level skills and expertise equip the Centre to conduct quality research into the diverse roles of trees in agricultural landscapes, and to use this research to advance policies and practices that benefit the poor and the environment.

Support units
The World Agroforestry Centre has several support units, including:

Communications Unit
Based at our headquarters in Nairobi, but working closely with communication staff in regional offices, this team spreads the word about what the World Agroforestry Centre is doing. The Unit takes care of publications and library services, web publishing, media and public relations.

Training Unit
With a strong focus on assisting our scientists and their partners to build and strengthen capacity, the Training Unit promotes ongoing learning opportunities that are compatible with our research priorities.

Human Resources Unit
Ensuring our centre attracts, retains and develops excellent staff is the role of our Human Resources Unit.

Research Methods Group
The ILRI–ICRAF Research Methods Group helps staff from both organizations and their research partners with research design, data management, analysis and reporting, and Geographical Information Systems (GIS).