that its food production systems are intimately linked to its natural resource
base. The basic question is how can the world's resources be developed for
human welfare while conserving the ecological integrity of its terrestrial and
aquatic ecosystems? Conservation in the face of development is at the base
of the sustainability issue currently occupying so much attention at education
and development institutions worldwide.
Many believe that one viable approach to sustainable agriculture involves
the promotion of agroforestry systems. Faith in this approach arises from
its applied interdisciplinary base and from the fact that it has been practiced
for thousands of years by agricultural societies around the world.
Agroforestry, however, is still in its infancy with respect to the infrastructure
needed to promote its widespread application. Those who attended the
International Workshop on Professional Education and Training in
Agroforestry are working to identify and develop the research, education
and training programs necessary for its maturation. Whether such efforts
establish agroforestry as a scientific field similar in stature to agriculture and
forestry will not be known for some time. Regardless of the outcome,
however, agroforestry certainly will continue to be practiced in developing
countries for many more decades to come.