In addition, agroforestry is based on integrating several plant species and livestock in a complementary and beneficial way. 

This diversification leads to a rich source of varied food, as well as products for sale. For example, integrating multipurpose local trees, such as shea (Vitellaria paradoxa), moringa (Moringa oleifera), baobab (Adansonia digitata), Piliostigma, or coconut (Cocos nucifera), provides ecosystem services while generating marketable products.

Similarly, combining local fodder from trees or shrubs (e.g., Piliostigma) with livestock farming ensures high-quality feed for livestock, which translates into access to high-quality meat.

This diversity also offers economic stability, otherwise known as resiliencebecause even if one crop species, such as sorghum, is attacked by disease, another species from a different botanical family can continue to produce, being naturally resistant to that disease.

Finally, integrating several agricultural species (trees, crops, forage plants, etc.) on the same plot of land results in significantly higher overall productivity per hectare than a traditional monoculture system.

In addition, this variety of plant species makes it possible to spread food, fodder, and economic production throughout the year, while balancing the workload. For example, fodder produced by trees and shrubs remains available during the dry season to feed animals; shea fruits ripen during the rainy season, while peanuts are harvested afterwards. This provides farmers with a continuous supply of resources and a work schedule that is less concentrated in a specific period. 

1. Encourage the growth of trees and shrubs and increase their density (for example, a density of 1,000 to 2,000 trees per hectare of Piliostigma is recommended). 
   1. Objective: improve soil structure and fertility, promote water infiltration, suppress weeds, encourage beneficial soil organisms and retention, all leading to higher yields.
2. Pruning (trimming and pollarding) of shrubs and trees, plus mulching of plant residues, tailored to each species and objective. For example, Faidherbia does not shade crops because it loses its leaves during the rainy season; densely planted Piliostigma should be pruned before the rains to manage shade during cultivation season.
   1. Objective: well-managed shade allows crops to grow close to shrubs and trees, promoting countless beneficial interactions such as improved soil health and easier biomass harvesting.
3. Integrate shrub or tree species (e.g., Guiera or Faidherbia, Shea (Vitellaria paradoxa), and Néré (Parkia biglobosa)) that have the ability to redistribute water, i.e., transport water from deep aquifers to the soil surface.
   1. Objective: to make moisture accessible to crops with shallower roots.
4. In shallow soils, plant Piliostigma or Guiera at a density of 1,000 to 2,000 plants/ha.
   1. Objective: to improve permeability and reduce erosion.