Agroforestry Focus: Economic Performance

Biochar for agroforestry in Poland

Agroforestry, like any tree-related cropping system, has a problem with surplus wood and tree waster from pruning, harvesting and dead stock.This poster (presented at the EURAF 2024 conference) explores a potential solution of converting it into biochar and using it to improve soils or as charcoal to generate additional income. It focuses on biochar production in different locations in Poland.

Walnut in silvoarable alley cropping system. Startup and first results of a long-term practice-oriented agroforestry research field in Flanders, Belgium

This poster (presented at the EURAF 2024 conference) presents the initial setup and early outcomes of a walnut-based silvoarable alley cropping system in Flanders, Belgium, demonstrating practical feasibility, ecosystem benefits, and tailored agroforestry practices to support adoption among Flemish farmers.

Farming with trees: a potential ‘win-win’ for sustainable food production and biodiversity?

This downloadable pdf briefly explains the findings of a PhD study investigating the effects of integrating trees into arable land on biodiversity and food production. It provides information on the research questions, the farms involved, pests and weeds, benefits of allowing understoreys to flower, biodiversity and pollinators, and productivity and income. You can access the complete thesis and associated publications via the link.

Farming for the future: how agroforestry can deliver for nature and climate

This policy paper assesses the benefits of agroforestry on a large scale on farmland in England. It considers how agroforestry systems are already being deployed and sets out recommendations on how to increase the number of trees in our agricultural environment and make changes in land use a reality. Research presented makes clear that widespread adoption of agroforestry can enhance and connect habitats and help store more carbon in our landscapes, while maintaining food production and in some cases improving farm productivity in both arable and pastoral farming systems. While focused on policy, the report has useful information on environmental and farm enterprise benefits (particularly sequestering greenhouse gas emissions and biodiversity benefits), carbon markets, and other market-based approaches which could provide investment for agroforestry projects.

Alley cropping with strawberries: Two case-studies in Romania

Paper analysing two case studies that focus on the use of alley cropping in two sub-compartments in the south-east of Transylvania (Romania). Alley cropping (mostly with maize or melon as agricultural crops) is used on a very small scale. It is considered that the main factors restricting its application are (i) the lack of information on this agroforestry system, (ii) the lack of projects in the field and (iii) the lack of funding for agroforestry activities. This explains the field work that was undertaken and provides practical information particularly in relation to management along with benefits farmers can expect from applying this method.

SIGNAL – Sustainable intensification of agriculture through agroforestry

SIGNAL is part of the funding initiative BonaRes (Soil as a sustainable Resource for the Bioeconomy) which aims to improve soil functions through the development of sustainable management systems and increase understanding of soils, soil processes and soil functions. The project aims to evaluate whether and under which site conditions agroforestry in Germany can be a land use alternative that is ecologically, economically, and socially more sustainable than conventional agriculture. The effects of agroforestry systems on soil ecological properties are being investigated at 4 arable and 2 grassland sites in the north-east of Germany. Project information and various publications can be accessed via the website (mainly in German).

Stadt-Land-Plus OLGA Project – Optimisation of land use along water bodies and on agricultural land as well as support value creation in the agrifood system of the Dresden area

The OLGA project focuses on sustainable land use approaches and regional value creation in the Dresden region of Germany. As part of this it aims to promote the implementation of agroforestry systems along watercourses. The research focuses on investigating microclimatic effects of agroforestry structures on their immediate surroundings such as streams, as well as analysing woody plant physiology and vegetation development in and around the agroforestry system. The project lasts for 5 years (04/2020 – 03/2025) and will develop a transferable solution for implementing the EU Water Framework Directive, taking into account regional economic relations, interests of landowners, and flood prevention.

The research includes looking at the ecosystem services functions of agricultural trees and shrubs in watercourses, particularly in relation to water protection, climate protection and flood control. The economic perspectives and marketing potentials for farmers and landowners are also being explored, along with ways that agricultural woods can be used more widely as an energy resource and increase the use of renewable energies long term. Citizens in the region actively participate in the project through focus groups, real labs and other methods of citizen science and explore the added value that sustainable land use and regional food can have for their own environment and quality of life. You can subscribe to the newsletter and access various publications (mainly in German) from the website.

Quinta das Abelhas (“farm of bees”)

Quinta das Abelhas (‘A farm for the Bees’) is a project focused on developing, testing, and studying complex agroforestry systems in the Portuguese Alentejo. It was developed by Marc Leiber, a student of Ernst Götsc, who has implemented what have become known as syntropic farming techniques at Quinta das Abelhas, to restore degraded soil, provide a home for pollinating insects, and re-establish the water cycle to create a climate-resilient agroforest.
This gives you details of the ‘model farm’ layout integrating fruit, nut and vegetable crops, and beneficial impacts that have been observed. It was hoped that it could demonstrate that agriculture could be environmentally and financially rewarding for both the older farmers and younger generations that could be drawn back to the countryside… Results show that agroforestry is having a highly positive impact on productivity, while helping to drastically reduce the amount of irrigation and (organic) fertiliser required.
This is one of the ‘model farms’ featured on the reNature website – a consortium with a base in the Netherlands that brings together knowledge about regenerative agriculture, impact monitoring, and stakeholder engagement, to make the business case for regenerative agriculture around the world. They position themselves as being a “unique global agroforestry hub and service provider”

The Signpost Series Webinar – Agroforestry – multiple benefits for Irish agriculture

A webinar recording that is part of a series focusing on agroforestry and multiple benefits for Irish agriculture. This episode, facilitated by Pat Murphy (Head of Environment Knowledge Transfer Department, Teagasc), features Mark Gibson (Teagasc ConnectEd Manager), Dr Ian Short (Forestry Research Officer, Teagasc), Professor Jim McAdam (Queens University Belfast), and Mr Eugene Curran (Forestry Inspector, DAFM). It includes information on different kinds of agroforestry, multiple benefits, European research, carbon capture and carbon credits, generating income, regulatory impacts, and economic support, and features some interesting questions posed alongside discussion of practical management issues.

Agroforestry in the uplands

Three UK upland farmers talk about how they are integrating and using trees to their best advantage on their farms in this video by the Soil Association (supported by FABulous Farmers). They refer to the benefits of giving their livestock access to trees and hedgerows and give their insights in to why trees are good for the animals (through providing shelter, shade and browse/fodder), soil health, biodiversity, the environment (i.e. flood protection and carbon storage) and the farm income. The video features beef cattle and sheep farmer Andrew Barbour from Mains of Fincastle in Perthshire, sheep farmer Glansant Morgan from Pwllyrhwyaid Farm near Brecon in Wales, and dairy farmer Freya Meredith from Lower Withecombe Farm on Dartmoor in Devon. It also features Luke Dale Harris (Innovative Farmers silvopasture trial co-ordinator from FWAG SW) and Kate Still from the Soil Association Farming Team.

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