A new publication has emerged this week, aimed at shedding light on the intricate world of agroforestry for farmers and foresters. Agroforestry, a term encompassing land-use practices that intertwine trees with crops and/or animals on the same plot of land, involves substantial ecological and economic interplay between the trees and the agricultural elements. The recently unveiled booklet, crafted by the Irish Agroforestry Forum, serves as an educational manual on Forest Type 8 (FT8), a component of the Afforestation Scheme 2023 – 2027. This measure, accessible to both farmers and non-farmers, provides establishment grants and annual premiums for a decade. Farmers meeting the criteria, including those with entitlements, can avail of Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) payments on their agroforestry, alongside Complementary Redistributive Income Support for Sustainability (CRISS) support payments, contingent on specific conditions. Participants in the Organic Farming Scheme (OFS) are also eligible to claim organic payments on agroforestry areas.
Maureen Kilgore, the manager of the Irish Agroforestry Forum, shared with Agriland that the booklet was a response to the inquiries from farmers and foresters seeking clarity on integrating agroforestry into their operations. She emphasized that while agroforestry is not a new concept, its application as an environmental safeguard in Ireland is novel. Kilgore highlighted the innovative approach taken in Ireland towards agroforestry, describing it as a fresh form of agri-environmental practice. Farmers, she noted, are increasingly recognizing the environmental and economic advantages of incorporating trees into their farming setups. The substantial grants available through the agroforestry measure serve as a compelling incentive for farmers to explore this avenue.
The Irish Agroforestry Forum has been inundated with queries via email, phone, and in-person interactions during their farm walks, underscoring the demand for expert guidance on planning and design. The comprehensive booklet delves into various aspects, including site suitability, the application process, design and planning, tree protection, plantation management, and addressing ash dieback conversion. Clive Bright, an organic farmer from Co. Sligo who integrates agroforestry into his practices, played a pivotal role in shaping the guide. The booklet is available for download on the Irish Agroforestry Forum’s website, with printed copies set to be distributed at the forum’s farm walk events in September and October. Kilgore mentioned that the guide would be updated online to reflect any alterations in scheme support details by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM). Additionally, she expressed the intention to incorporate insights from farmers who adopt agroforestry into future case studies within the document.
Since March, the Irish Agroforestry Forum has organized approximately 14 farm walks across the country. The upcoming event, scheduled for September 25, will be hosted on a 13-hectare organic farm owned by Rossa Gibbons in Munig, Skibbereen, Co. Cork. The farm boasts a 2.4-hectare agroforestry plot established five years ago, featuring a silvopasture system with Shropshire sheep. Another farm walk is slated to occur at the O’Connor family farm in Fossa, Killarney, Co. Kerry on October 3, showcasing around 20 acres of woodland grazing.
