Increasing agriculture sustainability in Europe: driving factors for agroforestry implementation

Abstract

Agroforestry contributes to challenges such as feeding increasing populations, depletion of natural resources and the impact of climate change. This thesis aims at analysing the drivers of the European farmers and foresters for implementing or not agroforestry in their lands, and how the last Common Agricultural Policy affected the promotion of agroforestry in Europe. The major driving forces are tradition in the family or the region, diversification of products and learning from successful experiences. The promotion of the woody component can be appreciated in different sections of the CAP linked to Pillar I and Pillar II, although lack of consistency between Pillars are one of the main drawbacks to adopt agroforestry.