AGFORWARD

 

Work-package 3 focuses on agroforestry for high value tree systems such as apple orchards, olive and citrus groves, and high value walnut and chestnut trees. The removal of production-related subsidies threatens the financial sustainability of olive systems and some fruit orchards. Potential innovations include legume intercrops to improve soil nutrition, companion planting to reduce pests and diseases, and using intercrops for grazing.

The specific objectives are:

1. To identify examples of existing best practice, the key challenges, and possible innovations to address those challenges, within stakeholder working groups within a Participatory Research and Development Network (PRDN) related to the use of agroforestry in high value tree systems.(See the agroforestry for high value trees groups here)

2. To describe and explain the key inputs, outputs, and ecosystem service flows for case study systems in selected countries, associated with the use of agroforestry in high value tree systems (See report here).

3. To agree, with the PDRN, key innovations or improvements in quantification to promote the uptake of agroforestry in high value tree systems (See report here).

4. To agree and implement, with the PDRN, an experimental protocol (see report here) to develop and test the proposed innovation at existing experimental facilities and through on-farm experiments, and to then analyse and interpret the results, with close involvement of the PDRN (see initial report here). A final deliverable describing the lessons learnt across the PDRN is available here.

5. To provide and promote guidelines for farmers on how to establish economically viable agroforestry practices in high value tree systems (with WP9) (See report with innovation leaflets here).