Reviving Agroforestry: Unlocking Sustainable Farming Potential in the Baltics

Agroforestry, an agricultural practice which integrates trees into agricultural systems, currently accounts for 9% of the agricultural area in Europe. However, within Europe, there is a significant divide in the practice between western and eastern Europe. While deeply rooted in agricultural history across Europe, eastern regions influenced by the Soviet Union in the 20th century experienced a decline in such practices. These practices were replaced by intensified monocultures, leading to the removal of trees previously integrated into ecosystems. ¹FAO – Agroforestry Over 50 years later, these systems are experiencing a revival. The EU recognises agroforestry as a tool for achieving climate neutrality and meeting biodiversity targets due to its adaptive and mitigating values. Through the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), the EU supports farmers in introducing agroforestry. The European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) provides funding for establishing and maintaining agroforestry systems.

Nevertheless, despite such initiatives from the European Union, the region, especially the Baltics, is still lagging behind in adopting agroforestry in its agricultural practices. This is mainly due to a lack of policy foundation and knowledge gaps throughout farming communities. ²FAO – Agroforestry Tackling these hurdles, the EUKI project Agroforestry Solutions: New Climate Heroes was initiated. Find out below the role that a small organic farm plays in promoting agroforestry across the Baltics.

What is Agroforestry?

But first, let us take a step back and analyse what agroforestry is, which forms of it are practised, and what, in particular, are the promised impacts on the climate.

Agroforestry can be broadly described as integrating trees into agricultural systems. This practice of combining trees with crops or livestock has been used by humans for thousands of years. According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), agroforestry is practised by over 900 million people on approximately 1 billion hectares worldwide, accounting for 43% of all agricultural land. ³FAO – Agroforestry

Famous examples include cacao agroforestry systems, where cacao grows beneath tree canopies, and Europe’s iconic “dehesa” in Spain and “montado” in Portugal, which integrate oak trees with livestock farming, such as Iberian pigs that produce the renowned jamón ibérico.⁴European Parliament – Agroforestry in the European Union

While these practices date back to ancient times, they are no longer as widely practised. In Europe, agroforestry currently covers only 15.4 million hectares, or 9% of the total agricultural area. This decline is linked to the agricultural intensification and modernisation of the 1960s, when traditional systems were replaced with monocultures. For instance, practices like bocages—pastureland divided by hedgerows—were systematically removed, reshaping the agricultural landscape. ⁵Prep Soil – Dehesa in Spain

Despite this decline, agroforestry represents a broad range of practices that integrate trees into agricultural systems. These practices can be categorised into two main systems: the silvopastoral system, which combines trees and livestock, and the silvoarable system, which integrates trees with crops. Other examples include hedgerows, which protect farmland from erosion, flooding, and wind damage; riparian buffer strips, which safeguard waterways, especially in Central and Northern Europe; and kitchen gardens, which combine trees with vegetable cultivation, offering sustainable options for small-scale farming. ⁶Prep Soil – Dehesa in Spain  

These systems provide multiple benefits for farmers and the environment. By diversifying agricultural production and enhancing ecological resilience, agroforestry contributes to climate mitigation through carbon sequestration, improved soil health, and reduced dependence on artificial fertilisers. At the same time, it creates economic opportunities by offering diversified income streams for farmers. ⁷Prep Soil – Dehesa in Spain  

Barriers to Agroforestry in the Baltic Region

While systems like the dehesa in Spain and hedgerows in Britain and France benefit from long-standing traditions and local expertise, agroforestry practices in eastern Europe face significant challenges. Industrialisation and collectivisation during the 20th century disrupted traditional systems, leaving a less developed foundation for modern agroforestry. Beyond historical disruptions, farmers in the region face weaker policy support, fewer funding opportunities, and limited access to research networks, further hampering the uptake of agroforestry. ⁸CAP – Agroforestry opportunities

In the Baltic states, these challenges are compounded by structural and legal barriers. For instance, Latvia enforces a strict distinction between forests and farmland, leaving little room for agroforestry. Small forest meadows that were historically used for grazing during Soviet times are now classified as forest ‘open spaces,’ fostering negative associations among farmers, who often perceive agroforestry as linked to poverty.

Economic barriers further complicate the situation. Establishing agroforestry systems requires significant upfront investment, particularly for small-scale farmers. Trees are often unproductive in their early years, which can reduce the short-term profitability of the land. Moreover, a persistent knowledge gap exists, with many farmers unaware of agroforestry’s benefits or how to implement it. This gap is exacerbated by a lack of advisory systems in the Baltic region.

Adding to these obstacles, planting trees on farmland often results in land being reclassified as forest, triggering stricter regulations. Meanwhile, CAP support for agroforestry remains inconsistent, with varying definitions of eligible land across EU Member States, creating uncertainty for farmers and limiting access to financial support. ⁹EU CAP Network – Analytical work – supporting the establishment of agroforestry systems

Despite these challenges, interest in agroforestry in the Baltic region is growing. This is where the EUKI project Agroforestry Solutions: New Climate Heroes aims to play a pivotal role. By developing comprehensive guidelines and proposing a legislative framework to establish agroforestry as a government-supported method in Lithuania, the initiative seeks to address the region’s structural barriers. At the core of the project is a pilot initiative designed to demonstrate agroforestry’s benefits and tackle potential challenges. By gathering and sharing region-specific knowledge, the project also aims to transfer insights to neighbouring countries like Latvia and Estonia. ¹⁰EUKI – Agroforestry Solutions: New Climate Heroes

Ilzenbergas Manor – A Small Farm with a Big Impact

EUKI project Agroforestry Solutions: New Climate Heroes was established through a collaboration between Vilnius University and the Green Policy Institute. Launched in December 2023, the project began with the previously mentioned pilot initiative at Ilzenbergas Manor, an organic farm in Lithuania that functions as both a demonstration site for agroforestry’s benefits and a research hub for developing tailored recommendations.

The project’s primary objectives include developing practical guidelines to help farmers integrate trees into agricultural systems and proposing legislative changes to support agroforestry. By showcasing successful implementation at Ilzenbergas Manor, the project aims to inspire similar initiatives in Latvia and Estonia.

Alongside the pilot initiative, the project organises training sessions to equip farmers with the skills they need and publishes educational materials to raise awareness. One such event, the Agroforestry Solutions in Lithuania: Benefits to the Farm and Nature Conference, took place at the end of November at Ilzenbergas Manor. These efforts aim to demonstrate to farmers the dual benefits of agroforestry for agricultural practices and nature alike. ¹¹Green Policy Institute – A modern way to mitigate the effects of the greenhouse effect

“Agroforestry is practically unknown in Lithuania, where there is neither legal regulation nor public policy measures to implement it, and farmers lack reasonable insights on how to implement it. Lithuania is taking the lead in this case in the context of the Baltic States and is the first to undertake the implementation of a pilot project, the results of which will be presented to interested parties from Latvia and Estonia in the hope that this will help them speed up the implementation of agroforestry.”

– Remigijus Lapinskas, President of the Green Policy Institute

Challenges and Future Prospects

Implementing agroforestry in the Baltic states remains challenging due to limited farmer knowledge and the complexity of managing agroforestry systems. These systems require new techniques and a shift away from conventional farming practices. Administrative burdens, such as navigating land-use classifications and securing financial support, further deter adoption.

Projects like Agroforestry Solutions: New Climate Heroes are part of the solution overcoming these challenges. By addressing knowledge gaps and providing region-specific guidelines, the initiative empowers farmers in the Baltics to adopt agroforestry. Scaling up these systems could create a more resilient agricultural sector, better equipped to withstand climate change while enhancing biodiversity.

Strengthened partnerships between agriculture and forestry sectors are key to establishing a cohesive policy framework. This project could serve as a model for other eastern European regions, demonstrating agroforestry’s potential to balance environmental and economic benefits.

From Roots to Resilience: A Sustainable Future for Baltic Agriculture

Agroforestry is an ancient practice, globally recognised for its environmental and economic benefits. In the EU, it is gaining attention for its role in mitigating climate change and enhancing agricultural resilience. However, its adoption remains uneven, with significant gaps between western and eastern Europe.

The EU’s support through funds like the EAFRD and initiatives like Agroforestry Solutions: New Climate Heroes offers hope for broader adoption. Continued collaboration among governments, farmers, researchers, and civil society is essential to overcome challenges and unlock agroforestry’s potential.

By creating a pilot farm that serves both as a research area for tailored best practices and as a demonstration site, the EUKI project Agroforestry Solutions: New Climate Heroes showcases what successful tree integration looks like in practice. A step towards making agroforestry recognised as a viable solution to climate and environmental challenges and creating a future where agriculture benefits both people and the planet.

A small tree for a farm, but a big step towards more sustainable agriculture in the Baltics.

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  FAO – Agroforestry
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  FAO – Agroforestry
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  FAO – Agroforestry
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  European Parliament – Agroforestry in the European Union
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  Prep Soil – Dehesa in Spain
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  Prep Soil – Dehesa in Spain  
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  Prep Soil – Dehesa in Spain  
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  CAP – Agroforestry opportunities
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  EU CAP Network – Analytical work – supporting the establishment of agroforestry systems
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  EUKI – Agroforestry Solutions: New Climate Heroes
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  Green Policy Institute – A modern way to mitigate the effects of the greenhouse effect