Agroforestry: What It Is, Its Purpose, and Why It’s an opportunity for Agricultural Businesses

The FAO defines agroforestry as an innovative practice that combines agriculture and forestry, offering numerous environmental and economic benefits. In this article, we will explore in detail what agroforestry is, its objectives, the benefits it brings, and some successful projects in Italy.

What Is Agroforestry?

Agroforestry is a land management practice that integrates crops, perennial woody plants, and, in some cases, livestock farming on the same plot of land. This combination aims to create more sustainable and resilient production systems by leveraging positive interactions between ecosystem components.

The forest component of the ecosystem enhances soil fertility through leaf litter decomposition, which provides essential nutrients for crops. Additionally, the complex root systems of woody plants help prevent soil erosion and retain moisture, creating a more favourable microclimate for cultivated plants.

What Is the Purpose of Agroforestry?

Agroforestry aims to optimize land use by increasing productivity and sustainability in agricultural activities. By integrating trees and shrubs into cultivated areas, several benefits can be achieved:

• Diversification of Production: Besides traditional agrarian products, trees and shrubs can provide timber, fruit, nuts, and other non-timber forest products, creating additional farm income streams.
• Soil Quality Improvement: Tree roots stabilize the soil, reducing erosion and improving its structure, which helps combat desertification. Some tree species also fix atmospheric nitrogen, enriching the soil with nutrients.
• Biodiversity Conservation and Enhancement: Diverse plant species create habitats for numerous animal species, promoting ecological balance and contributing to local wildlife conservation.
• Climate Change Resilience: The forest component of the ecosystem captures carbon dioxide, contributing to climate change mitigation.

The Advantages of Agroforestry

The adoption of agroforestry practices offers numerous benefits:

• Environmental Benefits: Integrating woody plants—trees or shrubs—into agricultural systems improves air and water quality, increases biodiversity, and helps conserve natural ecosystems.
• Economic Benefits: Production diversification allows farmers to access new markets and reduce dependence on a single crop, increasing financial stability.
• Social Sustainability: Agroforestry can create job opportunities in rural areas and promote traditional agricultural practices, strengthening local communities’ social and cultural fabric.

Key Findings from a Study by the University of Padua

Research conducted by the University of Padua on a demonstration area in the province of Rovigo showed that, within the first four years of planting, soft wheat yield near rows of poplars increased by up to 28% compared to yields farther from tree rows.

This increase is attributed to the greater availability of nutrients, such as nitrogen, which tree roots recover from deep soil layers, and to the microclimatic protection provided by the trees (e.g., shading and temperature regulation). Additionally, the presence of trees improved crop quality; in the case of wheat, an upward trend in grain protein content was observed.

These findings suggest that agroforestry optimizes the use of natural resources and improves the quality and quantity of agricultural production, making farms more resilient to climate change and market fluctuations.

Alcuni progetti agroforestali in Italia

In Italia, diversi progetti stanno dimostrando con successo l’efficacia dell’agroforestazione. Ecco alcuni esempi promossi da Etifor:

• Bosco Cinque Querce: Situato sulle colline del comune di Siena, questo progetto prevede la trasformazione di un’area incolta e a elevato rischio di erosione ai margini di un querceto in un modello di gestione ecologica. Dal 2023, sono state piantate oltre 2.000 nuove piante, tra cui più di 30 specie arboree e arbustive edibili come pero, melo, sambuco e prugnolo, corbezzolo, ginepro. Sullo stesso terreno sono state piantate ben 5 specie diverse di quercia e altre specie forestali. Questi interventi mirano a risanare le aree abbandonate, ridurre l’erosione del suolo e aumentare la biodiversità, creando una food forest che offre benefici ambientali, economici e sociali.

• Mezzaluna della Biodiversità: Questo progetto, situato sui Colli Berici a Vicenza, prevede la creazione di un’area agroforestale che combina la coltivazione di specie autoctone con la conservazione degli habitat naturali. In particolare il progetto prevede l’applicazione dell’antica tecnica della vite maritata, ovvero la coltivazione della vite con sostegni vivi, di altre piante (non pale di legno o di cemento). Viticoltura e foresta entrano così in sinergia, preservando anche un importante patrimonio culturale agronomico. L’obiettivo è promuovere un’agricoltura sostenibile che favorisca la biodiversità e offra nuove opportunità economiche per la comunità locale.

• Bosco dei Sette Cieli: Sui monti di Palermo, questo progetto prevede la creazione di una foresta commestibile pensata per prevenire gli incendi. Con l’impianto di 40 specie diverse di alberi, circondate da una siepe in grado di smorzare i forti venti e rallentare così l’avanzata del fuoco, si mira a imitare i cicli naturali e migliorare la fertilità del terreno. Questo bosco fornirà cibo in modo sostenibile, offrirà rifugio a numerosi insetti e piccoli animali e contrasterà l’erosione del suolo e gli incendi boschivi. Questo progetto è di natura agro-silvo-pastorale, tra qualche anno, quando le piante si saranno affermate, a Bosco dei sette cieli è previsto il pascolo di capre. 

Agroforestry Projects in Italy

In Italy, several projects have successfully demonstrated the effectiveness of agroforestry. Here are some initiatives promoted by Etifor:

Bosco Cinque Querce: Located in the hills of the Siena municipality, this project transforms an uncultivated and erosion-prone area at the edge of an oak forest into an ecological management model. Since 2023, over 2,000 new plants have been planted, including more than 30 edible tree and shrub species such as pear, apple, elderberry, blackthorn, strawberry, and juniper. Five different oak species and other forest species have also been planted. These efforts aim to restore abandoned areas, reduce soil erosion, and increase biodiversity by creating a food forest that offers environmental, economic, and social benefits.

Mezzaluna della Biodiversità: This project, located in the Berici Hills in Vicenza, aims to create an agroforestry area that combines the cultivation of native species with the conservation of natural habitats. Notably, the project employs the ancient technique of vite maritata, where grapevines are grown using living trees as supports instead of wooden or concrete poles. This synergy between viticulture and forestry preserves an important agronomic cultural heritage and promotes sustainable agriculture that enhances biodiversity and creates new economic opportunities for the local community.

Bosco dei Sette Cieli: In the mountains of Palermo, this project involves creating an edible forest designed to prevent wildfires. By planting 40 different tree species, surrounded by a windbreak hedge to slow down the spread of fire, the initiative aims to mimic natural cycles and improve soil fertility. This forest will provide sustainable food production, shelter for insects and small animals, and combat soil erosion and wildfires. It follows an agro-silvopastoral approach—once the plants are well established, goats will be introduced for grazing at Bosco dei Sette Cieli.

Our Services

Etifor supports agricultural businesses and land managers in adopting agroforestry practices through technical and scientific consultancy. We assist in designing and implementing customized agroforestry systems that align with the specific characteristics of the land and the objectives of each business.