Can rubber agroforestry work at scale? A new report from Grantham Scholar Maria Wang Mei Hua suggests that it can.
If rubber production changes from monocultures to more diverse systems then rubber production can be more sustainable. Further, rubber agroforestry, which involves growing rubber trees along with other plants, crops and livestock, can benefit smallholders.
For this study, Maria and her co-authors assessed hundreds of peer-reviewed scientific reports and papers on rubber agroforestry. From these studies – which cover low-input rubber agroforestry and intercropping systems – the authors show a range of benefits from rubber agroforestry. For instance, both local livelihoods and the environment do better with this system. Further, the authors show the need for support from governments, industry and researchers to scale-up rubber agroforestry.
If you want to read a summary of the report or download it in full, then go to the Mighty Earth website.
Maria’s blog about cempedak is one of the most read pieces on our website. If you want to find out more about this tropical fruit, then you can read the blog here. Cempedak is a much-loved fruit and a major local crop in Malaysia where Maria is from. In her blog, Maria explores where it grows, how its cooked and what it tastes like.