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Sustainable Horticultural Systems pp 129–142Cite as

Agroforestry in the Caribbean, Traditional Systems, both Sustainable and Biodiverse

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Part of the book series: Sustainable Development and Biodiversity ((SDEB,volume 2))

Abstract

Agroforestry is association of trees with crops. It is the oldest form of agriculture but on the most productive soils and on large properties has been supplanted by mechanized high input monocultures. Agroforestry is low-input and tends to be practiced by small farmers on marginal soils. We examine agroforestry as it is practiced on the islands of the Caribbean and place it into its historical context.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Agricultural Experiment Station, University of the Virgin Islands, VI 00851, Kingshill, USA

    Michael Morgan & Thomas W. Zimmerman

Authors
  1. Michael Morgan
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  2. Thomas W. Zimmerman
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Michael Morgan .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Tennessee State University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA

    Dilip Nandwani

Conclusion

Conclusion

The association of trees, crops, and animals is a very old practice and should not be seen as something new. It has been practiced on the Caribbean islands since before the arrival of European and African peoples in 1492. Agroforestry is a form of low-input agriculture in response to local conditions. It produces many benefits both economic and environmental.

Acknowledgements

This project was funded by a McIntire-Stennis grant. Thanks to Sarah Workman who forwarded some papers and Dr. Dilip Nandwani who extended the invitation to write the chapter.

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Morgan, M., Zimmerman, T. (2014). Agroforestry in the Caribbean, Traditional Systems, both Sustainable and Biodiverse. In: Nandwani, D. (eds) Sustainable Horticultural Systems. Sustainable Development and Biodiversity, vol 2. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-06904-3_6

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