Acacia trees 'could improve soil quality'

Incorporating acacia trees into Africa could be an additional way of restoring soil quality in the continent, according to materials seen by ScienceDaily.

The World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) is one of many organisations participating in a gathering of over 800 experts to discuss how trees could save the world's farms.

ICRAF director general Dennis Garrity said that growing the right tree in the right place on farms in sub-Saharan Africa and internationally has the potential to slow climate change, feed more people and protect the environment.

"[The Acacia] tree, as a source of free, organic nitrogen, is an example of that," he stated, adding that there are many examples of solutions to African farming "that exist here already".

Part of the alliance of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research, the World Agroforestry Centre dedicates itself to generating and applying knowledge to stimulate agricultural growth, raise farmers' incomes and protect the environment.

Written by Joseph Hutton