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Productivity and Economic Evaluation of Agroforestry Systems for Sustainable Production of Food and Non-Food Products

Author

Listed:
  • Lisa Mølgaard Lehmann

    (Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Højbakkegård Allé 30, 2630 Taastrup, Denmark)

  • Jo Smith

    (The Organic Research Centre, Elm Farm, Hamstead Marshall, Newbury RG20 0HR, UK)

  • Sally Westaway

    (The Organic Research Centre, Elm Farm, Hamstead Marshall, Newbury RG20 0HR, UK)

  • Andrea Pisanelli

    (National Research Council, Institute of Research on Terrestrial Ecosystems, Via Marconi 2, 05010 Porano, Italy)

  • Giuseppe Russo

    (National Research Council, Institute of Research on Terrestrial Ecosystems, Via Marconi 2, 05010 Porano, Italy)

  • Robert Borek

    (Institute of Soil Science and Plant Cultivation—State Research Institute, Czartoryskich 8, 24-100 Puławy, Poland)

  • Mignon Sandor

    (University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Cluj-Napoca, Calea Manastur, 3-5, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania)

  • Adrian Gliga

    (University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Cluj-Napoca, Calea Manastur, 3-5, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania)

  • Laurence Smith

    (School for Agriculture, Food and the Environment, the Royal Agricultural University, Cirencester, Gloucestershire GL7 6JS, UK)

  • Bhim Bahadur Ghaley

    (Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Højbakkegård Allé 30, 2630 Taastrup, Denmark)

Abstract

Agroforestry systems have multifunctional roles in enhancing agronomic productivity, co-production of diversity of food and non-food products and provision of ecosystem services. The knowledge of the performance of agroforestry systems compared with monoculture is scarce and scattered. Hence, the objective of the study was to analyze the agronomic productivity and economic viability of diverse agroforestry systems in Europe. A network of five agroforestry systems integrating arable crops, livestock and biomass trees was investigated to assess the range of agricultural products in each agroforestry system. Land Equivalent Ratio (LER) was used to measure the agronomic productivity, whereas gross margin was used as an indicator for economic viability assessment. LER values ranged from 1.36–2.00, indicating that agroforestry systems were more productive by 36–100% compared to monocultures. Agroforestry gross margin was lower in Denmark (€112 ha −1 year −1 ) compared to United Kingdom (€5083 ha −1 year −1 ) and the crop component yielded higher returns compared to negative returns from the tree component in agroforestry. Hence, the study provided robust field-based evidence on agronomic productivity and economic viability assessment of agroforestry systems in diverse contexts for informed decision making by land managers, advisory services, farmers and policymakers.

Suggested Citation

  • Lisa Mølgaard Lehmann & Jo Smith & Sally Westaway & Andrea Pisanelli & Giuseppe Russo & Robert Borek & Mignon Sandor & Adrian Gliga & Laurence Smith & Bhim Bahadur Ghaley, 2020. "Productivity and Economic Evaluation of Agroforestry Systems for Sustainable Production of Food and Non-Food Products," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(13), pages 1-9, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:13:p:5429-:d:380735
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Julie Ingram & Jane Mills & Ana Frelih-Larsen & McKenna Davis & Paulo Merante & Sian Ringrose & Andras Molnar & Berta Sánchez & Bhim Bahadur Ghaley & Zbigniew Karaczun & Roberto Ferrise & Camilla Diba, 2014. "Managing Soil Organic Carbon: A Farm Perspective," EuroChoices, The Agricultural Economics Society, vol. 13(2), pages 12-19, August.
    2. Diana-Maria Seserman & Dirk Freese & Anita Swieter & Maren Langhof & Maik Veste, 2019. "Trade-Off between Energy Wood and Grain Production in Temperate Alley-Cropping Systems: An Empirical and Simulation-Based Derivation of Land Equivalent Ratio," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 9(7), pages 1-26, July.
    3. Ying Xu & Lisa Mølgaard Lehmann & Silvestre García de Jalón & Bhim Bahadur Ghaley, 2019. "Assessment of Productivity and Economic Viability of Combined Food and Energy (CFE) Production System in Denmark," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(1), pages 1-15, January.
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    2. Dickson Mgangathweni Mazibuko & Hiroko Gono & Sarvesh Maskey & Hiromu Okazawa & Lameck Fiwa & Hidehiko Kikuno & Tetsu Sato, 2023. "The Sustainable Niche for Vegetable Production within the Contentious Sustainable Agriculture Discourse: Barriers, Opportunities and Future Approaches," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-25, March.
    3. Thiesmeier, Alma & Zander, Peter, 2023. "Can agroforestry compete? A scoping review of the economic performance of agroforestry practices in Europe and North America," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 150(C).
    4. Viviana Ferrario, 2021. "Learning from Agricultural Heritage? Lessons of Sustainability from Italian “Coltura Promiscua”," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-13, August.
    5. Claudia de Brito Quadros Gonçalves & Madalena Maria Schlindwein & Gabrielli do Carmo Martinelli, 2021. "Agroforestry Systems: A Systematic Review Focusing on Traditional Indigenous Practices, Food and Nutrition Security, Economic Viability, and the Role of Women," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(20), pages 1-20, October.
    6. Emmanouil Tziolas & Stefanos Ispikoudis & Konstantinos Mantzanas & Dimitrios Koutsoulis & Anastasia Pantera, 2022. "Economic and Environmental Assessment of Olive Agroforestry Practices in Northern Greece," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-15, June.
    7. Ntawuruhunga, Donatien & Ngowi, Edwin Estomii & Mangi, Halima Omari & Salanga, Raymond John & Shikuku, Kelvin Mashisia, 2023. "Climate-smart agroforestry systems and practices: A systematic review of what works, what doesn't work, and why," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 150(C).
    8. Gori Maia, Alexandre & Eusebio, Gabriela dos Santos & Fasiaben, Maria do Carmo Ramos & Moraes, Andre Steffens & Assad, Eduardo Delgado & Pugliero, Vanessa Silva, 2021. "The economic impacts of the diffusion of agroforestry in Brazil," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 108(C).
    9. Matthew M. Smith & Gary Bentrup & Todd Kellerman & Katherine MacFarland & Richard Straight & Lord Ameyaw, 2022. "Agroforestry Extent in the United States: A Review of National Datasets and Inventory Efforts," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(5), pages 1-17, May.

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