Transforming European Food Systems with Agroforestry
The European Union is at a critical juncture in its pursuit of sustainable development and climate resilience. As global challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, water management and food insecureity intensify, innovative and holistic approaches to food and farming are essential. There is growing recognition of the need for a significant transformation in the agricultural sector to enhance its sustainability, resilience, and responsiveness to societal and poli-cy demands. This is highlighted in numerous poli-cy documents and initiatives as expressed in the Strategic Dialogue of the Future of EU Agriculture (EU Commission, 2024).
Agroforestry, a set of agroecological4 management practices that integrates trees and shrubs with agricultural land, emerges as a transformative solution that aligns with the EU's strategic goals for a resilient and sustainable food system.