Agroforestry in Action: Empowering Farmers & Protecting Watersheds
This World Water Week, we’re reminded that securing water for people and nature starts upstream. Healthy watersheds mean resilient rivers, thriving farms, and strong communities. At FarmTree, we’re proud to support initiatives that show how agroforestry can be a powerful nature-based solution for water security.
A joint effort by Wami Ruvu, MORUWASA, and World Waternet is showing how agroforestry can be a powerful nature-based solution for watershed management.
Using the FarmTree Platform, we designed not just tree planting, but well-thought-out agroforestry systems tailored to different zones in the catchment. For the pilot project, we prioritised steep river slopes where the risk of sedimentation is highest and invited the communities to adopt either fruit-based or spice-based systems.
One farmer, Costa, chose the spice option. After struggling last year with clove seedlings distributed by the municipality, he and his farmer group received on-farm training from @SAT on contour alignment, agroforestry design, and maintenance. With this support, Costa successfully established his farm while preserving the natural trees already on his land.
📸 See the transformation — from December 2024 to August 2025.
The projected impacts on Costa’s farm are promising:
📈 +27% income in the first 5 years, thanks to the smart integration of annual crops while waiting for trees to mature — rising to +48% after year 5
💧 79% less rainwater runoff within 5 years, moving toward full mitigation as the system matures
And Costa is not alone. Nine other demonstration plots covering 2.8 ha have already been established, expected to prevent 50 tons of sediment from entering rivers within 5 years. With all farmers involved, and the tree nurseries that are currently being established, we aim to restore an additional 25 ha, preventing an estimated 1,250 tons of sediment over the same period.
✨ This is just a pilot. Imagine the impact if scaled across the watershed: healthier rivers, thriving farms, and secure water resources for entire communities downstream.
How to get started
📽️ Watch a sneak peek playlist of videos of the FarmTree Platform features and functionalities
👉 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXJ7TLsFPvo85XsLhrtFMvY9hzC37sZTA
🤝 Contact us: https://www.farmtree.earth/contactus
🌐 Learn more: www.farmtree.earth
