The 1st World Congress of Agroforestry was the first global forum for researchers, high-ranking government officials, practitioners, scientists and extension agents to develop strategies for research, education and training, and development related to agroforestry. More than 500 people attended.

The congress was the culmination of three years of preparation under the leadership of UF/IFAS distinguished professor P.K. Nair, chair of the global organizing committee. The success of the congress enhanced the status of UF/IFAS as a leading institution worldwide in agroforestry research and education. The congress brought together for the first time the world’s leading authorities in various fields of agriculture and natural resources including Nobel Laureate Norman Borlaug and the first World Food Prize Laureate, M. S. Swaminathan of India, to discuss their perspectives and outlooks on the role and scope of agroforestry in enhancing food production and environmental sustainability. The practice of agroforestry combines techniques in forestry with other agricultural areas to enhance output while establishing practices leading to sustainable production.

Participants in the congress affirmed in a declaration that over the past 25 years, significant gains have been made in agroforestry that have led to greater productivity especially for farmers with limited resources. At the global level, agroforestry could play a major role in the United Nations’ efforts to meet its Millennium Development Goals, which include eradicating poverty and hunger, promoting gender equality and ensuring environmental sustainability.

Topics covered during the six-day congress beginning June 27 included improvement of rural livelihoods; enhancement of the environment and landscape; agroforestry science and education; policy, social, and institutional issues; and agroforestry for the next 25 years.

World leaders of agroforestry hope to have another congress in about four years to continue to highlight the global progress made in agroforestry research and education. Additional information is available at the website http://conference.ifas.ufl.edu/wca.