Agroforestry Poem by Mary Champion

Fighting against food scarcity
in these unforgiving climates,
restoring soil fertility,
improving the lives and diets

of the people who must struggle
to be fit and remain healthy,
when their life is full of trouble
and there's no food in their belly,

there is one supreme solution
that will not cost us the earth, for
it's a true green revolution
just the kind that we all yearn for.

Plant more trees, which have the power
to bring life back to the tired soil,
to revitalize the pasture
and to repair what has been spoiled.

The crops can grow up sturdily
planted beside the rows of trees.
Its name is agroforestry
and it will help prevent disease.

Even when the floods are rising,
when many crops may be destroyed,
the trees will stand, and keep surviving,
bear fruits and nuts to be enjoyed.

So, planting trees provides the seeds
for the survival of the land
and choosing trusted native trees
will help the people to withstand

deadly vagaries of climate,
that bring dire threats of famine's scourge,
guarantee a healthy diet
provided by replenished earth.

The Baobab's a superfood
with minerals and vitamins,
Moringa is nutritious too
and Shea is packed with healthful things.

Trees provide a green salvation,
restoring hope and dignity
to an undernourished nation.
They call it agroforestry.