Baza danych projektów PROW

The Local Action Groups (LAGs) of this LEADER cooperation partnership identify, share and disseminate efficient and innovative agro-forestry practices of model character, in order to provide suitable responses to the territorial challenges they meet.

Pays des Condruzes (Strée, Belgium)

Traditional forms of tree plantation in field or meadow contexts represent a valuable heritage to be preserved. Funding is already used to subsidize existing plantations. The current European agricultural policy has encouraged new forms of use of “non-forest” tree plantation. Aspects of interest include planting methods, the choices of tree species, the preservation of endemic species, and the generation of other benefits. However, many farmers still have reservations, which represents a considerable challenge to the wider re-introduction of this historical method of tree plantation.

Despite the existence of several agro-forestry studies, the variety of available information remains limited. Therefore, the project's partnership intends to contribute to the wider development of the agro-forestry sector. More specifically, the 5 partner LAGs aim to (1) increase the competitiveness of rural areas by improving agricultural productivity, by diversifying agricultural production (e.g. fruits, flowers, oils) and forestry; (2) improve rural areas and the quality of life, by integrating the tree in the landscape, thus favoring the biodiversity of species and the value of soil; (3) promote the creation or development of new value chains of local agricultural and forestry products.

The TNC project comprises of six major components: (1) exchange of knowledge and skills; (2) provision of legal and contractual expertise; (3) development of questionnaires and conduct of surveys (rural agro-forestry audit); (4) agro-forestry feasibility guide; (5) local showcases to demonstrate agro-forestry on site; and (6) a multimedia repository for documentation purposes (website). Implementation of each of these activities does not necessarily involve the participation of all partners.

So far, the partnership has (1) exchanged draft contents for a series of technical factsheets; (2) started analysing survey feedback obtained from farmers, which will be discussed in a joint meeting in June, in preparation for an in-depth audit to be performed on selected sites; (3) launched work on the guide (graphical charts); (4) agreed on the partners' film production roles for the web-repository. The formation of a Belgian-French agro-forestry association represents a first additional benefit originally not foreseen by the project's action plan. Translation of factsheet & film materials (by others) could be of benefit to a wider audience of rural / agro-forestry actors across Europe.

The partner LAG of Cévennes represents 2 geographical areas and the funding required to support its structure somewhat compromised the LAG's ability to mobilise the human resources required for the TNC project. The LAG therefore sought to develop partnerships with other local actors with vested interest in the project activities, while remaining involved in a supervisory role. As a result, the project's local and joint actions of Cévennes are mainly supported by the local Chamber of Agriculture.

The project's consistency with the partners' local development strategies is based both on the tree theme & the search for economically viable approaches that respect environmental concerns. The partnership investigates how trees may become a factor for sustainable economic development of agricultural terrain. This essentially being a territorial approach, the lead partner considers the project's method perfectly replicable in other territories.

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https://www.agroof.net/agroof_projets/agroof_transgal.html

Jean François Pecheur

galcondruses@reseau-pwdr.be

+32 85 27 46 10

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