Agroforestry for pollinator support and food security: a review

Agroforestry is a land use system encompassing techniques that incorporate woody perennial plants alongside crops/animals. It is a multifunctional land-use approach, highlighting its potential contribution to pollinators and food security. Agroforestry farming practices are resource-efficient methods that support sustainable food production even in diverse situations. The global population is projected to reach approximately 9 billion by 2050, presenting a significant challenge in adequately feeding this expanding populace on limited land. There remains a pressing need to adopt more sustainable measures to boost food production for the expanding global population. This review synthesizes findings from over 75 peer-reviewed articles across more than 25 countries to understand the role of agroforestry in supporting pollinators and subsequently food security through increased pollination services and other benefits. The findings indicate that agroforestry can increase crop yields by 25–80%, boost dietary diversity by 22–25%, and improve soil organic carbon by 20%. The enhanced pollination services driven by floral diversity, habitat connectivity, and improved microclimates resulted in 2.4 times more bumblebees, twice as many solitary bees and hoverflies, and achieved 4.5 times higher seed set than monocultures. The income diversification and improved economic returns with 30–50% higher household income, 15–30% agroforestry income share, and benefit–cost ratios (BCR) above 2 underscore its strong economic potential. However, challenges such as high upfront costs, delayed returns, pest pressures, and adoption barriers exist, especially for smallholders. These outcomes are also context-dependent, influenced by scale, design, and landscape integration. The review highlights that agroforestry can simultaneously advance pollinator conservation and food system resilience. For the wider adoption of agroforestry, policy interventions, farmer training, and financial incentives are needed, alongside research that integrates long-term ecological and socioeconomic outcomes across diverse regions.