Key points are not available for this paper at this time.
Agroforestry systems have been promoted as a powerful tool to empower rural communities, especially women, to address climate change, biodiversity loss, food insecurity, land (soil) and ecosystem degradation in the coastal plains surrounding Pointe-Noire, the second largest city and economic hub of the Republic of the Congo. In this area, as in the rest of the country, slash-and-burn agriculture prevails and exacerbates these interconnected environmental challenges. Socio-economic surveys were conducted in six selected villages, together with soil analyses. This approach allows the identification of knowledge gaps, implementation barriers, and opportunities, while the evaluation of soil attributes aims to support and sustain the agroforestry systems (AFS) implementation.The study reveals a crucial need for training and the weak involvement of natives, as 87.6 % of respondents lack knowledge of AFS and 88 % are non-native farmers with minimal agricultural training. Nutrient-poor soils (SOM < 4 %; CEC < 2 cmolc kg–1; and humification <10 % in the 0–5 cm layer) are potentially favourable for the successful implementation of AFS which may help strengthen climate adaptation. Nevertheless, lack of knowledge, insufficient policy support, and inadequate infrastructure remain major constraints.This study proposes a framework to address environmental challenges and major local constraints while promoting training, native involvement, and gender equity through AFS to support its sustainable implementation. The research highlights the potential efficiency of combatting the harmful effects of climate change and food insecurity through the AFS implementation, combined with scientific and traditional knowledge and inclusive collaboration. This approach will ultimately support climate change mitigation and adaptation, and food security for sustainable development in the Congolese coastal plains.
Koutika et al. (Wed,) studied this question.