Joint call for better framework conditions for agroforestry
Agroforestry Now! (Agroforst Jetzt!) is an initiative to improve the framework conditions for agroforestry in Germany. It is a temporary coming together of various organisations to give agroforestry a new impulse. The initiative is coordinated by the non-profit organisation ProjectTogether and brings together professional associations, science and practice with the aim of providing well-founded impetus for agricultural and climate policy and making the potential of agroforestry for climate resilience, biodiversity and operational stability visible.
Last Thursday, the Agroforestry Now! initiative, together with several organisations from agriculture and civil society, launched a new call. The goal is that the improvement of the framework conditions for agroforestry – which began under the current German government – is continued under the new government. Specifically, the future government is called upon to reduce legal uncertainties and create practical funding conditions in order to develop the economic momentum of agroforestry systems.
Last year, the Federal Ministry for the Environment and Consumer Protection (Bundesministerium für Umwelt und Verbraucherschutz, BMUV) allocated €100 million for investment funding for hedgerows and agroforestry systems and has already earmarked €10 million for 2025. However, neither the federal states nor the farmers have received this money. The planned increase in the GAK framework plan (national funding instrument for agriculture, forestry and rural areas) for investment funding via the federal states has failed. Now is therefore the opportunity to transfer these already allocated funds directly to farmers via an unbureaucratic National Immediate Action Programme and to unleash the decisive initial impetus for the economic momentum of agroforestry.
The recommendations of Agroforestry Now! were developed in joint workshops and discussions with experts from agriculture, professional organisations and science. This shows how this topic is supported by both nature conservation and agricultural organisations.
An important note in this call is that agroforestry systems can only develop their diverse ecological services if they are also integrated into value chains and markets. This means that in addition to farmers, who can tap into these markets (energy, wood raw materials, nuts, fruit, etc.), municipalities (municipal heat planning) and processing companies (e.g. cideries) are also required for implementation. Cooperation can generate considerable benefits for Germany’s rural areas. If this development is successful, agroforestry will offer considerable economic benefits.
The support for the call gives the Agroforestry Now! initiative the backing to enter into direct dialogue with politicians on the framework conditions for agroforestry. In mid-May, there will be a conference on the topic with politicians and representatives from the field.
Link to the initiative: https://agroforst.jetzt/
Link to the call: https://agroforst.jetzt/wp-content/uploads/Aufruf-Agroforst-Jetzt-22Die-Chance-der-Agroforstwirtschaft-fuer-Deutschland-202522.pdf
