01 December 2023
Agroforestry Business Model Innovation Network Horizon Project
John Casey, Agroforestry Business Model Innovation Network (AF4EU) Horizon Project co-ordinator, Teagasc, tells us about the project.
With a growing interest in agroforestry systems expressed by many farmers, the Agroforestry Business Model Innovation Network (AF4EU) Horizon Project AF4EU – AF4EU comes at an opportune time to support Ireland’s ambition in developing its agroforestry capacity. The overall objective of AF4EU is the promotion and stimulation of innovation in agroforestry through the development of a multi-actor and innovation-driven expanded network across Europe that will benefit all members. Teagasc is the project partner in Ireland, represented by John Casey, a forestry development officer located in Cork.
The basis of this network incorporates:
- The sharing of successful cost-effective practical experiences and valuable research knowledge connected through ICT-Tools and Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs)- free online courses available for anyone to enrol in;
- The development of new business models and extension / advisory services.
The overall aim of this new approach, combining agroforestry productivity and profitability, being addressed at EU level for the first time, is to improve self-sustainability of local farms; to ensure the future existence of rural business linked to the Green Deal (GD) and Farm to Fork (F2F) strategy, and to promote a more productive and sustainable use of the land- all key CAP objectives.
Regional Agroforestry Innovation Networks (RAINs)
RAINs are simply stakeholder networks which are been co-ordinated across Europe to create an appropriate innovation ecosystem in each partner country (see Figure 1 below)- allowing the exchange of knowledge and experience, developing ideas, identifying knowledge gaps and enhancing networking opportunities. These RAINs involve a wide range of contributors covering both research and development approaches on the specific issues of AF systems design and management.
Figure 1: Existing and newly created RAINs across Europe
At an EU regional level, the aim is to establish connections among RAINs within the same biogeographic regions in Europe through the implementation of a twinning scheme between the existing and new RAINs e.g. northern Spain with northern Portugal, Belgium and Ireland.
The potential benefits to all participants are two-fold:
- Increasing the breadth of knowledge and reach of the participants through engagement with other European agroforestry practitioners, retailers, policy makers, etc.
- Having input into current and future business models & best practices, which need to be at the heart of sustainable land use decisions if we are to increase the take-up of agroforestry.
Figure 2: AF4EU overall concept
Irish RAIN workshop
Each AF4EU project partner will run four RAIN workshops and one regional event during the project lifetime. The first Irish RAIN workshop was held in the Teagasc offices, Tullamore on 26th of July last. The attendees consisted of 33% farmers (from the livestock, crop and forest sectors), 33% extension advisory services, with researchers, policy-makers and future consumers making up the remaining third of the participants. A needs analysis for the Irish agroforestry sector was carried out by means of survey and breakout discussion groups.
Participants are the 1st Irish RAIN workshop, Tullamore – 26th July
When asked to identify three key economic issues that an extension / advisory service should address, Irish RAIN members identified the cost / benefit analysis, value-added benefit potential, and the availability of economic lifecycle data & analysis for agroforestry enterprises. Participants also highlighted three key management themes that are crucial for extension services to address – providing advice on the integration of agroforestry into the overall farming enterprise; providing advice on tree species option and early establishment techniques and appropriate management advice on intermediate-stage agroforestry crops.
AF4EU project meeting in Ireland
To end this first year of AF4EU, consortium members travelled to Ireland, more specifically to Clonakilty Agricultural College in. Co. Cork, which hosted the third consortium meeting. As well as the usual summary of what has already been done and what lies ahead, RAIN co-ordinators reflected on what went well, what can be improved from their experience of the first workshops, and began planning for the next ones – The next Irish RAIN workshop is scheduled for late January, 2024.
The AF4EU consortium meeting was strategically scheduled to coincide with an International Agroforestry Forum conference in Bantry, where exciting agroforestry experiences, innovations and realisations were shared. This very well attended conference (170+ persons) also provided an enriching opportunity for AF4EU members to exchange with other agroforestry experts, farmers and researchers from Europe and beyond. Further conference details can be found at https://www.irishagroforestry.ie/agroforestryconference
John Casey, Teagasc, discusses the “view from the forest floor” at the IAF conference
How can you participate in AF4EU?
Visit the website af4eu.eu to get more information about the RAINs. As the project progresses, if you wish to find out about project innovations, business models RAIN meetings and any recent news, follow us on our social media channels and sign up for our newsletter. Alternatively, you can contact John Casey at john.casey@teagasc.ie