Agroforestry, a key component of the National Forestry Programme (2023-2027), aims to integrate forestry with agricultural practices, promoting environmental sustainability while offering farmers and landowners diverse income opportunities. The Forest Type 8 (FT8) Agroforestry option encourages the creation of dynamic, resilient landscapes through a combination of farming and forestry, benefiting both the environment and agricultural productivity.
Key Benefits of Agroforestry
- Increased Revenue Potential Agroforestry offers farmers and landowners dual-income streams. By combining ongoing agricultural revenue with long-term gains from timber and other forest products, this approach enhances financial sustainability. Farmers can generate income from both crops or livestock and high-quality timber, allowing for diversified financial sources.
- Carbon Sequestration and Soil Health The integration of trees into farming systems helps improve carbon cycling and solar capture. Agroforestry enhances soil health by fostering diverse root systems, increasing water infiltration, and enriching soil structure. These benefits contribute to improved soil productivity and long-term agricultural sustainability.
- Microclimate and Shelter Well-placed trees create sheltered environments that provide protection for livestock and agricultural buildings. Research has shown that shelterbelts and tree cover can reduce lamb losses, lower stress on animals, and ultimately boost overall productivity. Trees also help stabilize the microclimate, providing a more favorable environment for both livestock and crops.
- Extended Grazing and Forage Opportunities Silvopastoral systems—where trees are integrated with livestock grazing—can improve soil trafficability and water permeability, extending the grazing season. This practice allows farmers to graze livestock for longer periods while minimizing the loss of grazing space. Additionally, it is possible to manage hay or silage cutting between tree rows, making more efficient use of land.
- Nutritional Benefits for Livestock Certain tree species, such as willows, provide essential minerals like zinc and cobalt, which are beneficial for animal health. These trees naturally supplement livestock diets, reducing the need for additional mineral inputs like mineral licks and improving overall animal welfare.
- Biodiversity and Sustainability Agroforestry systems support biodiversity by providing habitats for wildlife and pollinators. Trees contribute to healthier ecosystems, which support sustainable farming practices. This diversity enhances farm resilience, ensuring that agricultural systems remain productive while also preserving ecological stability.
Agroforestry System Types
Under the FT8 Agroforestry option, landowners can implement several different agroforestry systems:
- Silvopasture Systems: This combines trees with pastureland for livestock grazing, offering shelter and forage opportunities for animals while maintaining agricultural production.
- Silvoarable Systems: A pilot scheme integrating trees with crop production, promoting agricultural diversity.
- Forest Gardening Systems: This innovative pilot scheme combines fruit and nut trees with other crops, creating a food forest system that supports both agricultural and ecological sustainability.
Who Can Apply for Agroforestry Support?
The FT8 Agroforestry option is available to both farmers and non-farmers, allowing anyone with suitable land to participate. Applicants can receive grants for establishing agroforestry systems, as well as annual premiums for up to 10 years. Farmers who meet specific criteria may also be eligible for direct payments such as Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS), Complementary Redistributive Support for Sustainability (CRISS), and Eco Scheme payments.
Support Rates
- Silvopastoral System Establishment Grant: €8,555 per hectare.
- Silvoarable & Forest Gardening Systems (Pilot): €6,000 per hectare.
- Annual Premium Payments: Up to €975 per hectare for silvopastoral systems and €829 per hectare for pilot schemes, paid over 10 years.
Additional Support
Other grants include a Fencing Grant for protecting newly established trees from browsing animals and an Environmental Report Grant if a report from an ecologist or archaeologist is required for afforestation licensing. Organic farmers may also be eligible for combined supports under both agroforestry and organic farming schemes.
Suitable Sites for Agroforestry
To qualify for the Agroforestry Programme, land must meet specific requirements:
- Soil Type: Free-draining mineral soils with no additional drainage needed.
- Plot Size: Minimum of 0.5 hectares, with a minimum width of 20 meters.
- Elevation: Below 200 meters.
- Tree Stocking: At least 400 trees per hectare.
Planning and Application Process
Teagasc forestry advisors provide support throughout the planning and application process, assisting in assessing land suitability, selecting appropriate tree species, and ensuring compliance with environmental standards. Landowners work with a DAFM-registered forester to create a planting plan that meets the scheme’s criteria. Careful planning ensures that planting designs support both healthy tree growth and ongoing agricultural production.
Tree Protection and Management
Effective tree protection, such as individual tree guards or group fencing, is necessary to shield trees from grazing livestock. Proper species selection is critical, as different species serve different purposes, from timber production to providing shade or fruit. Management of trees includes pruning, thinning, and rotational grazing to ensure optimal tree growth while maintaining the health of pastureland.
Agroforestry offers a compelling solution to integrate forestry with farming, enhancing sustainability and profitability. By incorporating trees into agricultural systems, farmers can improve biodiversity, soil health, and animal welfare, while simultaneously diversifying their income streams for long-term financial resilience.
