About the project
Funded through the Agroecology Partnership, Root2Fork is an international project aimed at addressing some key issues farmers have with taking up agroforestry: the delayed return on investment, how to manage the area under the trees efficiently or profitably, and what to do with the often novel products from agroforestry systems. The consortium, lead by the Technical University of Munich, will establish or changing agroforestry systems to deliberately diversify their understory, aiming to document the economic, environmental, and social benefits of diverse perennial multi-strata agroforestry systems. Agroforestry is a key family of practices to address growing challenges, not only in the agricultural sector, and development is needed to make it more attractive, understand potential pitfalls, and demonstrate the efficacy.Project goal
Objective 1: Consolidate multi-strata agroforestry system (msAFS) design for maximized productivity; O2: To foster innovation and circularity in msAFSs; O3: To assess the ecosystem services and environmental impacts of msAFSs; O4: To assess the social dimension (well-being, livelihoods, working conditions, equity) of msAFSs; O5: To assess the economic performance of msAFSs; and finally, O6: To disseminate, exploit, and communicate (DEC) msAFS benefitsLocally, the objectives are primarily aimed at changing existing woody plant production, namely in apple orchards, with deliberately chosen understory plants to reduce the need for mechanical or chemical control of vegetation while also producing ecosystem services without compromising profitability. We will engage with local municipalities seeking to address climate goals for ways in which the products can be incorporated into public food services through co-creation. Benefits will be communicated to other farmers.
UN's Sustainable Development Goals
Joshua Finch
Project Leader