Agroforestry Adoption and Climate Change Resilience in the Philippines: Smallholder Farmers’ Knowledge, Adaptation Strategies, and Mitigation Linkages

Abstract

Agroforestry plays an increasingly important role in strengthening climate resilience among smallholder farmers in the Philippines. This mini-review synthesizes recent evidence on farmers’ awareness, attitudes, and adaptation practices, emphasizing agroforestry’s dual role as both an adaptation and mitigation strategy under changing climatic conditions. Following the PRISMA 2020 framework, eighteen studies (six from the Philippines and twelve international) published between 2015 and 2025 were analyzed. Results indicate that agroforestry increases soil organic carbon by 10–20%, enhances crop yields by 15–23%, and sequesters up to 250 t CO₂ ha⁻¹ compared with monocropping systems. Beyond ecological gains, these systems promote livelihood stability, biodiversity conservation, and ecosystem restoration. However, adoption among smallholders remains constrained by financial, institutional, and technical barriers. Strengthening indigenous knowledge integration, gender inclusion, and policy support can enhance the contribution of agroforestry to national adaptation and mitigation objectives. Overall, the review concludes that agroforestry represents a viable, nature-based pathway for building climate-resilient farming systems and advancing the Philippines’ sustainable development goals.