European agroforestry policy promotion in arable Mediterranean areas

Abstract

Silvoarable is a type of agroforestry practice where a woody component is deliberately integrated with an arable crop as part of the understory. Silvoarable practices are generally associated with the delivery of more ecosystem services than monocultures in agricultural lands. Therefore, it is necessary to develop policies to foster silvoarable practices in the most climate-vulnerable areas such as the Mediterranean areas of Europe. This paper aims at analyzing the extent of silvoarable practices as well as the deployment and implementation of policies carried out in 27 Rural Development Programmes (Pillar II) within the framework of the Common Agricultural Policy 2014–2020, in the Mediterranean areas of Europe, to understand how silvoarable practices are promoted and provide insights to the Mediterranean Member States to develop better policies for agroforestry adoption in Europe within the future Common Agricultural Policy 2021–2027 where payments will be based on results. The silvoarable agroforestry practices deliver enormous ecosystem services in the Mediterranean areas of Europe despite the reduced current extent that this sustainable land use system has. Silvoarable practices should be promoted by the Common Agricultural Policy considering the enhancement of the extension services activities but also the development of adequate supply and value chains within the bioeconomy strategy to fulfil the green deal strategy promoted by the European Commission.