Conference looks to grow profits by blending farming and forestry

Europe’s agroforesters will examine how to increase profits by blending farming and forestry, at the second European Agroforestry Conference in Cottbus, Germany, from June 4 to 6.

The conference will look at the growing interest which EU policymakers are showing in agroforestry — the combination of trees and crops in the same field.

“This seems a radical change for many farmers, but the ground is shifting,” said Patrick Worms, senior science policy adviser with the World Agroforestry Centre, Belgium.

“Farmers face similar challenges all over the world, irrespective of climate, soils, or degree of development. How can yields be maximised? How can soil quality be protected?

“Very often, the answer includes ‘add trees’. Agroforestry systems are making farmers richer,” he said.

Registration is still open.

* http://cebra-ev.de/de/eu-agroforestry-conference.html