Paper short abstract:

Agroforestry is an approach saddled with diverse expectations. Whilst scientists laud the concept; the policy and institutional dimensions are neither prominent in research nor is there evidence of a scientific interest aimed at the development of coherent theoretical frameworks.

Paper long abstract:

Agroforestry as a concept has evolved from the initial goal of contributing only to food production, into an approach saddled with diverse expectations of a socio-economic and political nature. This is particularly a consequence of reframing the concept as an important development agenda; linking it to land management problems, climate change, food security and poverty alleviation. All these ascriptions have not only raised optimism, but have also influenced how agroforestry is advanced in the policy arenas of different African countries. Although the role of policies and institutions is paramount for successful agroforestry implementation, the policy and institutional dimensions of agroforestry remain scarcely researched. There is an inextricable link between research and policy. Decisions that are taken at different local and national levels are partly a reflection of how research has unpackaged the issue of agroforestry. This study intends to fill this gap and examines how research focused in the Southern African region has conferred policy and institutional issues of agroforestry. Results show that whilst scientists and practitioners laud the concept and attach substantial potential to it; policy and institutional dimensions of agroforestry are neither prominent in research nor is there evidence of a scientific interest aimed at the development of coherent theoretical frameworks. The study advocates for a shift towards a more policy and institutional oriented research process.