ICRAF Celebrates 25th Anniversary

For millennia, farmers have planted trees on their farms for the benefits they provide. Yet, it was only 35 years ago that the term agroforestry was coined and gained entry into the scientific lexicon. And for 25 years, ICRAF-World Agroforestry Centre has been at the forefront, advancing the frontiers of agroforestry science while increasing awareness about the crucial role of trees in enhancing food security, increasing income and assets for the poor, and in providing environmental services at local to global levels.

It was therefore fitting that the World Agroforestry Centre celebrated its 25th anniversary by hosting a conference "World Agroforestry and the Future." Ian Johnson, CGIAR Chairman, was on hand to kick off the celebrations, joining Eugene Terry, Chairman of the Board; Dennis Garrity, Director General, staff, and partners in celebrating this important milestone. Participants were taken on field trips to agroforestry sites in the Nairobi vicinity, and a 3-day science forum was held to synthesize past achievements and provide "state-of-the-art" analyses on four themes:

- Land and People: Partners using trees for productive landscapes and sustainable livelihoods.
- Trees and Markets: Conserving and domesticating trees and connecting smallholders with markets.
- Environmental Services: Pro-poor agroforestry strategies for local conservation and global benefits.
- Strengthening Institutions: Improving capacities for effective research development and education.

Looking to the future, the World Agroforestry Centre's new frontier is to focus on the products, processing, and marketing of tree products and services.

For more information, visit www.worldagroforestrycentre.org