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Nurturing agroforestry systems in Flanders: Analysis from an agricultural innovation systems perspective

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  • Borremans, L.
  • Marchand, F.
  • Visser, M.
  • Wauters, E.

Abstract

The shift to industrial agriculture in Europe brought along a range of environmental and social externalities. This led policy makers, researchers and civil servants to consider and explore the potential of diversified farming systems (DFS) to address current problems in agriculture. However, because of multiple obstacles adoption of these DFS by farmers is not obvious. In this study we investigate the case of agroforestry (AF) systems in Flanders, where a government incentive scheme initiated in 2011, did not lead to the expected uptake of AF systems by farmers. To understand this implementation gap and the role of the different relevant actors herein, we used the Agricultural Innovation System concept ensuring an integrative and holistic analysis. Through 25 interviews, 2 focus groups and document analysis, a set of qualitative data was gathered and analyzed. This revealed five sets of challenges, which are of a technical, financial, legal, organizational and social nature. For each of these challenges development pathways were formulated to further upscale AF adoption. Although they should be substantiated and fine-tuned through further research, they put forward the importance of (1) investing in research to improve the compatibility and labor productivity of AF systems, (2) engaging private and societal actors in niche markets for agroecological products, (3) developing a full-fledged legal landscape and an effective incentive program, (4) using different communication and education channels to familiarize actors with agroecological practices, and (5) strengthening the dialogue between influential groups.

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  • Borremans, L. & Marchand, F. & Visser, M. & Wauters, E., 2018. "Nurturing agroforestry systems in Flanders: Analysis from an agricultural innovation systems perspective," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 162(C), pages 205-219.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:agisys:v:162:y:2018:i:c:p:205-219
    DOI: 10.1016/j.agsy.2018.01.004
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    2. Martinelli, Gabrielli do Carmo & Schlindwein, Madalena Maria & Padovan, Milton Parron & Vogel, Everton & Ruviaro, Clandio Favarini, 2019. "Environmental performance of agroforestry systems in the Cerrado biome, Brazil," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 122(C), pages 339-348.
    3. Syezlin Hasan & James C. R. Smart & Rachel Hay & Sharyn Rundle-Thiele, 2021. "Changing Fertilizer Management Practices in Sugarcane Production: Cane Grower Survey Insights," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(2), pages 1-14, January.
    4. Renata Anibaldi & Sharyn Rundle-Thiele & Patricia David & Carina Roemer, 2021. "Theoretical Underpinnings in Research Investigating Barriers for Implementing Environmentally Sustainable Farming Practices: Insights from a Systematic Literature Review," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(4), pages 1-24, April.
    5. Barnes, A.P. & McMillan, J. & Sutherland, L.-A. & Hopkins, J. & Thomson, S.G., 2022. "Farmer intentional pathways for net zero carbon: Exploring the lock-in effects of forestry and renewables," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 112(C).
    6. Andrew P. Barnes, 2023. "The role of family life‐cycle events on persistent and transient inefficiencies in less favoured areas," Journal of Agricultural Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 74(1), pages 295-315, February.
    7. Andrew Barnes & Helena Hansson & Larissa Billaudet & Gaëlle Leduc & Gordana Manevska Tasevska & Mary Ryan & Bethan Thompson & Luiza Toma & Sabine Duvaleix‐Tréguer & Irene Tzouramani, 2022. "European Farmer Perspectives and their Adoption of Ecological Practices," EuroChoices, The Agricultural Economics Society, vol. 21(3), pages 5-12, December.
    8. Amare, Dagninet & Darr, Dietrich, 2020. "Agroforestry adoption as a systems concept: A review," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 120(C).
    9. Noémie Hotelier-Rous & Geneviève Laroche & Ève Durocher & David Rivest & Alain Olivier & Fabien Liagre & Alain Cogliastro, 2020. "Temperate Agroforestry Development: The Case of Québec and of France," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(17), pages 1-23, September.

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