Smallholder Agroforestry Adoption and Carbon Storage in Tropical Landscapes

Abstract

Agroforestry has emerged as an effective land management approach that simultaneously enhances agricultural productivity, biodiversity conservation, and climate change mitigation. This study investigates the relationship between smallholder agroforestry adoption and carbon storage across tropical landscapes in Indonesia. Field inventories were conducted to estimate aboveground biomass, while farmer interviews were used to examine socioeconomic factors influencing agroforestry adoption. Carbon stock estimation followed internationally recognized biomass equations, and statistical analysis evaluated differences among agroforestry systems with varying tree diversity and management intensity. The findings demonstrate that diversified agroforestry systems store substantially more carbon than conventional monoculture farming while improving soil quality and household livelihood resilience. Farmers adopting mixed-species systems also reported higher economic stability through diversified income sources. However, barriers including limited technical knowledge, insufficient financial incentives, and uncertain land tenure continue to restrict wider adoption. Strengthening extension services, improving access to climate finance, and supporting participatory land management could accelerate agroforestry expansion while contributing to Indonesia's emission reduction targets. The study confirms that smallholder agroforestry represents a practical nature-based solution for balancing environmental conservation with sustainable rural development.