AGROFORESTRY IN THE BIOECONOMY MODEL

The Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF) sector has the potential to deliver long-term climate benefits and, by doing so, contribute to the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, as well as to the long-term climate objectives of the Paris Agreement. The LULUCF sector also provides biomaterials that can substitute fossil or carbon-intensive materials and therefore plays an important role in the transition to an innovative low greenhouse gas emitting bioeconomy [REGULATION (EU) 2018/841].

Sustainable management practices can contribute to climate change mitigation in many ways, by reducing carbon emissions and storing them. In addition, they can maintain the productivity, reproductive capacity and vitality of the LULUCF sector and promote economic and social development. The development of sustainable and innovative practices and technologies, including agroforestry, can enhance the role of the LULUCF sector in terms of climate change mitigation and adaptation, as well as increase the productivity and resilience of the LULUCF sector itself [REGULATION (EU) 2018/841; EPRS, 2020; European Commission, 2021].

As the agroforestry sector is characterized by long timeframes for product yields, long-term strategies are important to enhance funding for the development of sustainable and innovative practices and technologies, and for the implementation of related investments. This is a great economic opportunity, as long as farmland owners and forest managers receive appropriate support during the transition period, as such support could create many and diversified business opportunities (Rigueiro-Rodríguez et al., 2008; FAO, 2005).

Conventional agriculture tends to put a strain on the resources it uses and is generally accepted to have a detrimental impact on the environment. Agroforestry systems, thanks to the synergies created by the right combination of woody biomass, agricultural plants and fruits and/or grazing animals, are sustainable, multifunctional systems that can provide a wide range of economic, social, cultural and environmental benefits (Rigueiro-Rodríguez et al., 2008; FAO,2005). The environmental benefits have been analyzed to a considerable extent in the international literature. The economic benefits for farmers and entire rural areas from the development and implementation of agroforestry systems include (EPRS, 2020):

Increase, in many cases, of agricultural production as a combinatory system of both agricultural plants and trees that can in turn lead to a more efficient use of resources, such as solar radiation or water, than each would use individually.

Reduced need for inputs such as fertilizers or insecticides because soil fertility is improved and pest control can be achieved more naturally.

Provision of diversified agricultural production, which can increase economic gains by generating periodic and annual income from multiple outputs. In addition, agroforestry systems reduce the risks associated with the production of a single good/crop and are more resilient in times of shortages or catastrophic climatic events. Their products include food, fuel, pasture and animal feed, fibres, wood, resin and gums, construction materials, pharmaceuticals, raw materials for handicrafts, and others.

Diversification of local production that can benefit the entire local economy and local communities as well as boost employment.

Provision of recreational and agri-tourism opportunities with multiple benefits for residents, possibilities for income diversification, enhancement of the attractiveness of the areas and the landscape.

Creation of a cultural heritage value and promotion of ecotourism by creating funding opportunities.

Thus, the agroforestry sector can become an important “ally” in the transformation of the economy and the transition to a sustainable economic model.

Moreover, the transition towards a green economy and circular bioeconomy presents huge opportunities for the agroforestry sector. There are many bio-based innovative products, such as dyes, solvents and other bio-chemicals, biodegradable polymers and bio-plastics, energy products, and others around which new business models, synergies and initiatives focusing on sustainable production and consump- tion, are constantly being developed. Thus, agroforestry is emerging as an important alternative for the management of biological resources, but also for the production of raw materials of biological origin, replacing fossil and non-renewable resources, contributing substantially to climate change mitigation, adaptation and resistance. For example, within agroforestry systems, the residues of logging and deforestation, as well as those of agricultural production, produce biomass that can be used as biofuel, or as composting material, to produce useful timber and even as raw material for the manufacture of textiles and other bio-based products. At the same time, planting trees helps restore biodiversity in rural areas, increases soil fertility and the potential for greenhouse gas sequestration.