Tree planting on public lands is often hampered due to low or no security of tree tenure rights. Uncertainly over who will take advantage of tree crop will make a reluctance in the planting of trees. This study aimed to observe the tree tenure security in the traditional agroforestry systems in West Sumatra. The results showed different tree tenure security across the study area, where the collateral is determined by the degree of clarity of the rule of local institutions. This has an impact on the selection of tree species and patterns of agroforestry.

Forest conversion in the tropics is increasingly driven by global demand for agricultural forest-risk commodities such as soy, beef, palm oil and timber. In order to be effective, future forest conservation policies should include measures targeting both producers (the supply side) and consumers (the demand side) to address commodity-driven deforestation.