The Lower Rhine has traditionally been a strongly agricultural region. The cultivation of vegetables, fruit, cereals, ornamental plants, and livestock farming are among its hallmarks. Much of what grows and thrives here ends up on plates both near and far. The conditions for producing high-quality food locally are favourable. And—like everywhere else in the world—they are also changing: for example, ever warmer and drier summers pose increasing challenges for regional farmers and food producers. Together, we need to develop solutions and adaptation strategies. Agroforestry systems can contribute to this goal.
The positive effects of agroforestry systems: greater crop and species diversity, erosion and water protection, shade for increased animal welfare, carbon storage, a favourable microclimate and, as a result, higher yields per hectare. At the same time, agroforestry systems are more complex to manage and require the relevant expertise from land users.
The region’s agricultural expertise is vast. Why not use this wealth of knowledge to shape the agriculture of the future? Old varieties, new crops – ideally combined in harmony, in short: plenty of growth prospects! In addition, Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences has a unique infrastructure as a real laboratory including a tropical greenhouse with teaching and show gardens. This is also where the threads of the Agroforestry Living Laboratory come together. The project is the nucleus for further advancing agroforestry together with real farmers in the Lower Rhine region to make a sustainable contribution to a healthy food supply. Testing, collecting, and evaluating data, networking stakeholders – that’s the motto.
In the short term, the Agroforestry Living Laboratory aims to establish demonstration areas for various agroforestry systems in the Lower Rhine region in cooperation with local farmers and provide them with scientific support. The goal is to enable intelligent agroforestry that paves the way for a sustainable future.
Interested in becoming part of the agroforestry living lab with your farm? Contact us!
We cordially invite all interested parties from the Lower Rhine region to our agroforestry regulars’ table. Here we exchange information on local agroforestry initiatives and practices. The events are aimed at all stakeholders who have points of contact with agroforestry and feel addressed. At our regulars’ table agriculture, horticulture, companies, associations and science come together and exchange ideas in an informal atmosphere. Whether you already have many years of experience in agroforestry or are just starting out, we warmly welcome you.
Agroforestry is enjoying increasing interest, although it is still a niche area. Some have already gained experience and discovered the potential, but have also encountered their first problems. To enable agroforesters to learn from and with each other, we at Agroforestry Living Laboratory would like to facilitate an exchange.
Registration for the regulars’ table by email to agroforst@hochschule-rhein-waal.de
