Agroforestry as a livelihood resilience strategy: empirical evidence from the Republic of Congo and Chad

Abstract

Climate change is a major threat to the livelihoods of communities in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly those in the Republic of Congo and Chad. Agroforestry has been identified as a sustainable option to enhance livelihoods while limiting the threat posed by climate change. It is against this background that this study investigates the livelihood assets and resilience of agroforestry practitioners in the Republic of Congo and Chad. Making use of a mixed methods and comparative analysis approach, findings reveal different livelihood assets categorized into natural, physical, human, social, and financial capitals. Natural assets, particularly trees, are universally recognized across both countries, but water availability differs significantly, with 81% of practitioners in the Republic of Congo having access compared to only 43% in Chad. Physical assets show stark contrasts; while over 70% of practitioners in the Congo reported having access to necessary tools and irrigation systems, only 17% of those in Chad reported similar access. Human assets highlight a reliance on indigenous knowledge in both countries, yet Chad faces lower formal education levels, particularly among livestock-based agroforestry practitioners. Social capital is notably stronger in the Republic of Congo, where 72% of practitioners benefit from robust networks, compared to only 41% in Chad. Financial assets are generally low, but particularly precarious in Chad, where savings range from 8 to 26%, limiting investment capacity. Resilience scores linked to these assets reveal that agroforestry practitioners in the Republic of Congo generally demonstrate higher resilience across all categories. Regression analysis highlights a strong positive relationship between various agroforestry practices (especially food crop-based and cash crop-based systems) and livelihood resilience, with coefficients suggesting a greater impact in Chad. This underscores the urgent need for policies that enhance access to physical, human, and financial resources, particularly in Chad, to foster sustainable agricultural practices and improve food security. These findings emphasize the importance of a holistic approach to strengthen livelihood assets, enhance resilience, and promote the adoption of effective agroforestry practices in both countries.