More Than A Tree: How trees are changing Esther’s future

Tree planting alongside crops (also known as agroforestry) is transforming the lives of smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa and contributing to maintaining farming as a sustainable, profitable venture. This shift is particularly impactful in rural communities where smallholder farmers are the backbone of local economies.

At One Acre Fund, we provide smallholders with trees alongside training on agroforestry techniques to ensure that both crops and trees receive enough nutrients to support growth. Planting compatible trees alongside crops helps smallholder farmers improve their harvests by promoting a healthy soil ecosystem—many types of tree improve soil fertility, prevent soil erosion and store atmospheric carbon. 

Diversified Income = Better Livelihoods

One Acre Fund offers a comprehensive tree package to supplement seasonal harvests, bolstering future financial stability for farmers. Trees can provide significant economic benefits, for example, farmers can sell fruit from trees such as avocados several times a year, diversifying their incomes. Trees also provide a form of long-term savings, as farmers can sell timber once the trees mature, and plant again. Such income is especially useful in seasons where extreme weather, which can cause crops to fail, deprives farmers of income.

Additional income means smallholder farmers can better provide for their families. For Esther, it means investing in her children’s future and their success. 

1 billion trees by 2030

“If farmers plant 1 billion trees, the impact is great because of the many benefits trees have. Farmers will become economically empowered and planting trees improves soil health and the environment which in turn boosts crop yields and potentially increases farmers' incomes." Esther says.

In 2023, we delivered 42 tree species across nine countries across sub-Saharan Africa under our tree planting program that takes into account local ecosystems, farmer preferences, pest and disease issues, and other environmental factors. With an ambitious target to support the planting of 1 billion trees by 2030 across our country programs; to-date, farmers have planted 250 million over the past five years with us.

For Esther and other smallholders like her, agroforestry is #MoreThanATree. Having trees’ transformational effect on her earning power, combined with their environmental benefits, means she is determined to keep planting them as long as she can.