A High-Value, Climate-Smart, Multi-Strata Agroforestry Production System
1. Rationale for Integrating Avocado + Agarwood
Avocado (Persea americana) is a medium-canopy, highly profitable fruit crop with strong local and export demand. Agarwood (Aquilaria spp.), meanwhile, is a shade-tolerant, high-value aromatic tree suitable for intercropping due to its relatively small crown, narrow root competition, and long-term maturity cycle.
Advantages of integrating them:
- Maximized Land Productivity
- Avocado yields begin in 3–5 years; agarwood matures in 7–12 years → a balanced short/long-term income cycle.
- Improved Microclimate
- Avocado provides partial shade and wind protection, reducing temperature stress on Aquilaria.
- Diversified Income Streams
- Fruit + timber/aromatic resin + carbon credits + optional intercrops.
- Climate Resilience
- Diverse canopy structure increases system stability and reduces pest/disease risk.
- Carbon Sequestration
- Both species contribute significantly to above-ground biomass and long-term carbon storage.
2. Recommended Layout & Spacing
A. Spatial Arrangement
A three-row repeating pattern works best:
Row 1 (Primary): Avocado
Row 2 (Secondary): Agarwood
Row 3 (Optional): High-value tree (sandalwood / ylang-ylang / nutmeg / cinnamon)
Then repeat.
Spacing
| Crop | Spacing | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Avocado | 6 m × 6 m | Allows canopy development and machinery access |
| Agarwood (Aquilaria) | 3 m × 3 m | Shade-tolerant; forms vertical growth |
| Sandalwood / Ylang-ylang / Nutmeg / Cinnamon | 4–5 m | Optional tertiary income component |
Approximate Density per Hectare
- Avocado: 250–270 trees/ha
- Agarwood: 900–1,000 trees/ha
- Optional tertiary trees: 150–200 trees/ha
3. Temporal Design (Year-by-Year)
- Year 0–1: Establishment Phase
- Land preparation, mulching, compost, biofertilizers (COBI/Crown BioGrow™), mycorrhizal inoculation.
- Avocado planted first to establish shade.
- Agarwood planted 3–4 months later under partial light.
- Year 2–3: Early Growth Phase
- Intercropping possible (ginger, turmeric, cacao seedlings, lemongrass).
- Begin light pruning to maintain light penetration.
- Mulching & cover crops for soil health.
- Year 3–5: Avocado Production Begins
- Avocado fruiting starts → early cash flow.
- Aquilaria develops height and diameter suitable for future resin induction.
- Year 5–7: System Stabilization
- Full avocado production.
- Agarwood canopy and root systems stabilized.
- Start low-intensity resin induction trials (biological or combinatorial biotech).
- Year 7–12: High-Value Harvest Phase
- Agarwood resin harvest (chips/oil) begins.
- Avocado at peak production.
- Optional tertiary trees producing flowers/oils/seeds.
4. Yield & Revenue Estimates (per hectare)
(Indicative; actual yields depend on management, cultivar, climate)
1) Avocado
- Yield: 8–12 tons/ha/year at maturity
- Revenue: ₱320,000–₱720,000/ha/year (farm-gate depending on cultivar)
2) Agarwood
Resin (after induction):
- 1,000 trees × 150–300 g resin = 150–300 kg chips
- Value: ₱7.5M – ₱18M depending on grade
Essential Oil (via CESI Supercritical CO₂ extraction):
- 1 kg agarwood chips → 2–3 ml oil
- Oil value: ₱300,000 – ₱800,000/kg
3) Optional High-Value Trees
| Crop | Possible Yield / Value |
|---|---|
| Sandalwood | Heartwood value extremely high (₱3M–₱5M/ha at maturity) |
| Ylang-ylang | Flowers for extraction; ₱150k–₱350k/ha/year |
| Nutmeg | ₱100k–₱250k/ha/year |
| Cinnamon | Bark harvest: ₱80k–₱200k/ha/year |
4) Carbon Credits
Agroforestry = 15–25 tCO₂e/ha/year →
Potential: ₱15,000–₱30,000/ha/year under carbon schemes.
5. Management Practices
- Soil Fertility
- Use Crown BioGrow™ granular biofertilizer during planting and annually for avocado.
- Apply compost, leaf litter, and biochar from pruning residues.
- Pruning
- Avocado: open-center pruning to increase sunlight and airflow.
- Agarwood: light side-branch pruning to encourage vertical growth.
- Pest & Disease Control
- Organic protocols preferred: neem, Trichoderma, mycorrhizae-based biofertilizers.
- Diversified canopy reduces pest pressure naturally.
- Water Management
- Drip irrigation recommended for dry months.
- Rainwater harvesting ponds for resilience.
6. Compatibility Notes
Avocado + Agarwood = Highly Compatible
- Agarwood tolerates partial shade
- Roots occupy different soil zones
- Complementary canopy structure
- Strong long-term income synergy