Economic profitability of agroforestry in nitrate vulnerable zones in Catalonia (NE Spain)

Simone Blanc,Julia Martínez-Blanco,Jaime Coello,Carles M Gasol,Pere Casals,Pere Muñoz,Filippo Brun,Angela Mosso

doi:10.5424/sjar/2019171-12118

Abstract

The impact of agricultural practices and the excess application of nitrogen can negatively impact the environment and cause human health problems. In Spain, the liquid manure applied in areas of intensive agriculture is creating groundwater nitrate pollution problems. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the economic profitability of agroforestry practices in North East Spain. Therefore, it deals with an alternative land use that has attracted attention in recent years, considering its potential to reduce the negative impact of modern agriculture that combines concurrent forestry and agricultural production in the same area. Specifically, silvoarable practices, such as alley cropping (AC), edge row planting and riparian buffer (RB) strips were compared to conventional agricultural land use. Considering the current agricultural policy framework in Spain, which does not favour these practices, our results showed the economic profitability of alley-cropping practices in comparison to conventional barley production of 25 to 64 € ha-1 yr-1. However, AC systems presented negative results compared to the traditional wheat crop (-122 to -63 € ha-1 yr-1). The results for RB strips were strongly influenced by the high initial costs, both in irrigated and non-irrigated scenarios. Economic results were negative (between -137 and -85 € ha-1 yr-1) compared to the conventional crops, barley and corn. These figures could be greatly increased with a policy framework that promotes these practices based on the fundamental ecosystem services they provide. Moreover, these practices allow an economic diversification that could prove to be beneficial for the majority of farmers.

Highlights

Modern conventional and intensive agricultural practices have an impact on the environment, causing a red uction of biodiversity, an increase in soil erosion and pollution of underground and surface waters (Palma et al, 2007; FAO, 2013)
The results obtained in the economic assessment of the tree component (Table 7), show that the increase in tree density leads to higher costs in each phase of the crop management but does not guarantee a higher income
Scenario AC1 gave a total cost of 2,239 € ha-1, compared with 2,790 € ha-1 for AC2 (25% higher), and AC3-AC4 respectively 48% and 92% higher than AC1

Summary

Introduction

Modern conventional and intensive agricultural practices have an impact on the environment, causing a red uction of biodiversity, an increase in soil erosion and pollution of underground and surface waters (Palma et al, 2007; FAO, 2013). Excessive application of nitrates in agriculture (inorganic N fertilisers and manures) can leach into groundwater and subsequently negatively impact the environment and pose human health problems (Leach et al, 2004; Giles, 2005; Gutierrez et al, 2016; Pacheco & Fernandes, 2016). In order to achieve the objective of these Directives, Member States are required to implement all necessary measures to prevent or limit inputs of any hazardous substances into groundwater

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion