Multipurpose tree

Perennial woody trees and shrubs play a role beyond their primary functions, extending to their acceptance and impact on local farmers and communities.

In most cases multipurpose trees have a primary role; such as being part of a living fence, or a windbreak, or used in an ally cropping system.

They may be intercropped into existing fields, to supply nitrogen to the soil, and at the same time serve as a source of both food and firewood.

Ideally most trees found on tropical farms should be multipurpose, and provide more to the farmer than simply shade and firewood.

In most cases they should be nitrogen fixing legumes, or trees that greatly increase the farmer's food security.