Module 06 / Land

Tree monitoring and agroforestry programmes: register, measure, track survival

Every tree registered, measured and followed over time, so agroforestry programmes can show what was planted and what survived.

Describe your need, get a prototype

In short

Farmer1st's trees and agroforestry module registers each planted or existing tree with its species, location and farmer, records trunk measurements over time, and monitors survival through repeat visits. Programme teams see what was planted, what survived and where, which supports agroforestry programmes, carbon projects and reporting to funders.

What it does

Trees & agroforestry

Tree registration

Each tree is recorded with species, location, planting date, plot and farmer, offline in the field.

Trunk measurements

Circumference or diameter and height are recorded at each visit to follow growth over the years.

Survival monitoring

Repeat visits show which trees survived, which died and why, by species, plot and area.

Programme management

Plan distributions and planting campaigns, assign follow-up visits and track progress against targets.

Linked to the plot

Trees sit inside validated plot polygons, so the same data supports agroforestry, carbon and deforestation evidence.

How it works

01
Plan the programme
Define which farmers receive which species, and where, then turn planting and follow-up into field missions.
02
Register each tree
Field agents or farmers record each tree with species, location and a photo, offline.
03
Measure and revisit
Scheduled visits record trunk measurements and survival, with reasons for losses.
04
Report
Survival rates, species mix and growth feed programme reports, carbon dossiers and funder indicators.

What you get

A verified register of every tree
Survival you can measure and explain
Evidence for carbon and funder reporting
Farmers engaged in the long run of the programme

Why do agroforestry programmes need tree-level data?

Agroforestry brings shade, soil health, biodiversity and extra income to smallholder farms. Programmes that distribute and plant trees, however, often lose track of them after planting day. Without knowing which trees survived, where and why, it is hard to improve the programme, report honestly to funders or build a credible carbon project on top.

Farmer1st follows each tree from registration through the years, on the same plots and with the same farmers already on the network.

How are trees registered?

Field agents or farmers record each tree in the app, offline:

Species, from a list adapted to the region and programme.
Location, captured with GPS, inside the validated polygon of the plot.
Planting date or, for existing trees, an estimated age.
Farmer and plot, linked to the verified registry.
Photo, as evidence.

Existing shade and fruit trees can be registered as well as new plantings, which gives a baseline for shade cover and species diversity.

How are growth and survival monitored?

Follow-up visits are planned as missions through field agent management. At each visit:

the tree is marked alive, dead or missing;
trunk measurements are recorded, typically circumference or diameter at a standard height and total height;
the reason for any loss is noted, such as drought, pests, livestock or removal by the farmer.

Over time, this gives survival rates and growth curves by species, plot, area and planting campaign. Programme teams can see which species do well where, and adjust future distributions.

What you see	Why it matters
Trees planted per farmer and plot	Programme delivery against targets
Survival by species and area	Which species to distribute next time
Growth over time	Input for carbon estimates
Reasons for losses	Where training or support is needed

How does tree data connect to carbon and compliance?

Trees are linked to plots whose geolocation has been validated by the geo and polygons service. That makes the same data useful beyond the programme itself:

Carbon. Species, counts and measurements feed our carbon module, where they become part of an MRV dossier aligned with the standard you target.
Deforestation evidence. A documented tree cover on a plot supports the case that it is deforestation-free and managed sustainably.
Farmer practices. Survival problems can trigger targeted training and quizzes on planting and care.

What do farmers get from it?

Farmers own their data and choose what is shared. Registered trees give them a record of what they planted and maintain, which can support access to programme benefits and, where a carbon project exists, to a share of the value it creates. Farmer1st is the first-mile infrastructure built around farmers: a farmer-controlled network where companies, governments and organisations collect, verify and share origin data, and build the services they need on top of it.

Who runs tree and agroforestry programmes on Farmer1st?

Food and agri companies investing in agroforestry in their supply base.
NGOs, donors and development agencies funding reforestation and farm resilience.
Governments and national programmes tracking tree planting commitments.
Investors who need verifiable data behind nature-based projects.

Can the module follow our methodology?

Yes. Species lists, measurement protocols and visit schedules follow your programme. Modules switch on as you need them, and anything specific, such as a new measurement protocol or a custom report for a funder, we prototype with you in the Nursery.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How do you monitor tree survival in an agroforestry programme?

Each tree is registered with its species, location and farmer, then revisited on a schedule you define. At each visit the field agent or farmer records whether the tree is alive, its trunk measurements and, if it died, the likely reason. Survival is then reported by species, plot and area.

Which measurements are recorded?

Typically trunk circumference or diameter at a standard height, total height and a photo, together with the date and location. You can add other measurements your methodology requires.

Can the data support a carbon project?

Yes. Tree registers, species and growth measurements are the raw material of many carbon calculations. They feed our carbon module, where they become part of an MRV dossier aligned with the standard you target.

Does this work for existing shade trees as well as new plantings?

Yes. You can register existing trees on a plot as well as new plantings, which gives a baseline for shade cover and species diversity before the programme starts.