Of course. Agroforestry planning is a complex but rewarding process that blends agriculture, forestry, and ecology. The right tools can make the difference between a successful, productive system and one that struggles.

Here is a comprehensive guide to agroforestry planning tools, categorized from foundational concepts to advanced digital platforms.

I. Foundational Concepts & Methodologies (The "Why" and "What")

Before you touch any software, you need a plan. These are the conceptual tools.

• Objectives Matrix: A simple but powerful table to define your goals.


• Columns: List all your potential agroforestry components (e.g., Cash Crops, Timber Trees, Nitrogen-Fixing Shrubs, Livestock).


• Rows: List all your objectives (e.g., Income, Food, Soil Fertility, Erosion Control, Biodiversity, Shade).


• Fill the cells: Mark with a + for a positive contribution, - for a negative, and 0 for neutral. This visually clarifies trade-offs and synergies.


• SWOT Analysis: To assess your land and context.


• Strengths (e.g., good water access, fertile soil)


• Weaknesses (e.g., sloping land, poor soil structure)


• Opportunities (e.g., local market for nuts, cost-share programs)


• Threats (e.g., pest outbreaks, drought risk)


• Agroforestry System Design Models: The conceptual framework for your layout.


• Alley Cropping: Rows of trees with crops in between.


• Silvopasture: Integrating trees, forage, and livestock.


• Windbreaks/Shelterbelts: Rows of trees to protect crops or soil.


• Riparian Forest Buffers: Trees along waterways to filter runoff.


• Forest Farming: Growing shade-tolerant crops under a forest canopy.

II. Analog & Field Tools (The "Hands-On" Tools)

These are for on-the-ground assessment and design.

• Soil Test Kit: The single most important tool. Determines pH, N-P-K levels, and organic matter, which dictates species selection.


• Compass and Measuring Tape / GPS Unit: For mapping boundaries, measuring distances, and marking out tree rows and alleys.


• Soil Auger: To examine soil profile, check for compaction layers, and understand root zone depth.


• Notebook, Graph Paper, and Colored Pencils: For sketching initial designs, noting observations, and creating a base map.

III. Digital & Software Tools (The "How" and "Where")

This is where technology dramatically enhances planning.

A. Mapping & Spatial Analysis (GIS)

These tools help you understand your landscape.

• Google Earth Pro (Free):


• Use Case: Excellent for getting a high-level view of your property, assessing topography, and looking at historical imagery to see how land has changed.


• Pros: Free, intuitive, great for visualizations.


• Cons: Not for precise measurement or complex analysis.


• QGIS (Free & Open Source):


• Use Case: The powerhouse for spatial planning. You can create detailed maps, analyze slope and aspect, plan tree placement based on sun exposure, and model water flow.


• Pros: Extremely powerful, free, huge plugin ecosystem.


• Cons: Steep learning curve; requires time investment.


• Farmers, Foresters, and Landowners: A Guide to Working with LiDAR Data:


• Use Case: Not a tool itself, but a guide to using often freely available LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) data. LiDAR can create incredibly detailed elevation models, allowing you to identify micro-topography and water drainage patterns.

B. Species Selection & Interaction Databases

These help you choose the right plants for the right place and purpose.

• World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) Databases:


• Use Cases:


• The Vegetationmap4Africa: Helps identify natural vegetation and potential species for your area.


• Agroforestry Species Switchboard: A one-stop-shop that links species information from multiple databases (uses, propagation, management).


• Pros: Scientifically rigorous, focused on tropical and subtropical species.


• Plants For A Future (PFAF) Database:


• Use Case: An extensive database of useful plants (edible, medicinal, etc.) for temperate regions, with details on plant needs and interactions.


• Pros: User-friendly, great for discovering multi-functional plants.

C. Specialized Agroforestry Design Software

These are tools built specifically for the task.

• CropSyst Model:


• Use Case: A multi-year, multi-crop simulation model. It can be adapted to simulate competition for water and light in alley cropping systems.


• Pros: Very powerful for predicting yields and resource use.


• Cons: Academic, complex, requires detailed input data.


• i-Tree Suite (from USDA Forest Service):


• Use Case: While designed for urban forestry, tools like i-Tree Design can be used to estimate the benefits (carbon sequestration, air pollution removal) of trees you plan to plant in an agroforestry system.


• Pros: Quantifies ecosystem services, free.

D. Farm Management & Record Keeping Software

These help manage the system once it's established.

• Tatanka (Specifically for Silvopasture):


• Use Case: A tool being developed to help farmers plan and manage silvopasture systems, including forage production, animal impact, and tree growth.


• Pros: Niche-specific, addresses a complex system.


• General Farm Management Software (e.g., FarmOS, Agrivi):


• Use Case: To track activities, inputs, and yields from both the agricultural and forestry components of your system over time.


• Pros: Good for operational management and financial planning.

A Simple Planning Workflow Using These Tools

• Define Goals (Objectives Matrix): What do you want from your land?


• Site Assessment (SWOT + Field Tools + Google Earth): What are the characteristics of your land? Get a soil test!


• Conceptual Design (Paper Sketches + Agroforestry Models): Sketch out where different systems (alley cropping, windbreaks) might go.


• Detailed Design (QGIS + Species Databases): Create a precise map. Use GIS to model sun/shade, water flow, and wind patterns. Use species databases to select specific trees, crops, and shrubs that fit your design and goals.


• Implementation Plan (Spreadsheet/Notebook): Create a planting schedule, source materials, and plan for maintenance.


• Monitoring & Management (Farm Management Software): Record what you do and what the results are, creating a valuable record for adaptive management.