Minister of State for Land Use and Biodiversity Pippa Hackett is set to deliver a keynote address to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Committee on Forestry today, Tuesday, July 23. The focus of her participation will be on engaging in a “high-level policy dialogue” regarding the investments and actions necessary to expand agroforestry practices.
Agroforestry, a land management approach that strategically incorporates trees and shrubs into agricultural systems, has garnered attention for its potential to revolutionize agri-food systems by enhancing resilience and adaptability. Recognized globally as a key solution to various challenges such as food security, rural development, ecosystem restoration, and climate change mitigation, agroforestry still faces obstacles hindering widespread adoption. The FAO emphasizes the importance of targeted support at technical, financial, and policy levels to overcome these barriers.
The ongoing 27th session of the Committee on Forestry (COFO) at the FAO headquarters in Rome provides the backdrop for this crucial discussion. Minister Hackett, ahead of her participation, underscored the significance of agroforestry both domestically in Ireland and on a global scale. She highlighted the vast restorative potential of agroforestry on over one billion hectares of degraded agricultural land worldwide and emphasized Ireland’s commitment to fostering growth in forest cover, with agroforestry playing a pivotal role in this endeavor.
“Agroforestry serves as a vital link between forestry and agriculture,” Minister Hackett remarked. She outlined the numerous opportunities within Ireland’s forestry program to promote agroforestry, aligning with the government’s ambitious environmental targets. With a goal to reduce emissions by 51% by 2023 and achieve net-zero status by mid-century, the government is keen on incentivizing increased tree planting, particularly on farmlands.
Backing this commitment is a substantial budget of €1.3 billion allocated to the new Forestry Programme, signaling strong governmental support for diverse tree planting initiatives and offering reassurance to farmers for the future. Minister Hackett detailed the government’s backing for farmers in establishing silvopastoral systems, integrating forestry with pasture for grazing and fodder production, along with pilot schemes for silvoarable and forest gardening systems.
Moreover, agroforestry has now been included in the eligibility criteria for payments under the Organic Farming Scheme (OFS), further incentivizing its adoption among farmers. Minister Hackett’s proactive stance underscores Ireland’s commitment to sustainable land management practices and the pivotal role agroforestry plays in achieving environmental targets.
The FAO’s Committee on Forestry provides a crucial platform for policymakers and stakeholders to engage in meaningful discussions on advancing agroforestry practices globally. Minister Hackett’s participation underscores Ireland’s dedication to leveraging agroforestry as a transformative tool in enhancing agricultural sustainability and addressing pressing environmental challenges.
