Achieving sustainable development through agriculture-forestry-livestock nexus in Bangladesh: Synergies and trade-offs

CONTEXT: In the pursuit of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, integrating agriculture -forestry -livestock (AFL) systems has emerged as a potential tool in developing countries. Yet, the extent of synergies and trade-offs associated with each SDG and viable strategies to address these trade-offs and leverage the synergies lack clarity. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to investigate the synergies and trade-offs associated with integrating AFL practices in Bangladesh toward achieving the 17 SDGs and suggest appropriate solutions to address the trade-offs. METHODS: This study employs an online survey based on the Delphi principles, ensuring unbiased opinions from a diverse set of experts with relevant expertise in the AFL nexus. The first survey round gathers insights on potential synergies and trade-offs, and the second round focuses on effective management strategies to address the challenges. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Findings reveal that AFL integration holds potential for synergies across SDGs, especially for poverty eradication, zero hunger, life on land, and climate action. However, trade-offs develop due to a lack of technical expertise and managerial knowledge, limited access to financial resources, fragmented land ownership, insufficient market opportunities, existing gender inequities, child labor practices, and an overreliance on wood as a fuel source in Bangladesh. To address these challenges, this study recommends comprehensive strategies such as creating specialized agricultural credit facilities, introducing insurance schemes, promoting cooperative associations, resolving land ownership issues, improving market linkages, addressing child labor, promoting gender equality, and advocating for clean energy alternatives like biogas. These strategies are linked with several national agendas of Bangladesh and aim to minimize trade-offs and maximize the synergies of AFL integration for sustainable development. SIGNIFICANCE: This research contributes to the global discourse on sustainable development by shedding light on the potential of AFL systems in Bangladesh and offers insights for policymakers and stakeholders. The findings also provide guidance for other developing countries facing similar challenges while pursuing the SDGs.