Call for DEFRA to Support Agroforestry
This week, some of the UK’s leading farming and forestry organisations have put their names to a letter to Secretary of State Michael Gove, highlighting the benefits of agroforestry, the practice of cultivating trees and crops or livestock on the same area of land. A well-managed agroforestry system can boost land productivity by up to 40% by making efficient use of natural resources. Trees also store carbon, improve water management and enrich biodiversity.
Strategic support
We know that the new Secretary of State is looking for bold ideas to square the UK’s environmental and economic goals, and agroforestry is one of the exciting opportunities to do that in the agricultural sector. Our understanding of its potential for farm businesses, tackling climate change and supporting our soils is growing all the time and the early adopters already show inspiring examples of how to make it work. On a large scale this could be game-changing. But to exploit it fully, and to remove some of the barriers farmers have identified, requires strategic support from government.
Meeting demand from farmers
The current Rural Development Programme for England does not include options to support agroforestry, the result of a perceived lack of demand from farmers and landowners to adopt the practice. But in June this year, a major conference on agroforestry – organised by the Soil Association, the Woodland Trust and the Royal Forestry Society – brought together 250 farmers, foresters and researchers, with many more on a waiting list for the oversubscribed event.
The conference heard from farmers who are already investing in, and benefiting from, agroforestry schemes. While the opportunities were clear, it was evident that gaps in support and advice presented a significant obstacle that could be overcome by Government.
Interested in branching out and making trees your next crop? Discover more about agroforestry here
