Agroforestry support programme in Switzerland, Germany, Austria and Liechtenstein

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Throughout Europe, traditional agroforestry systems represent less than 10 per cent of usable agricultural land. In the four countries eligible for funding – Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Liechtenstein – there are just a few hundred operations per country that have established modern agroforestry systems. Maintenance of these systems comes with high investment costs and additional expenses which are only feasible for agricultural operations in the medium to long term. Promoting new agroforestry systems requires financial incentives such as the ones provided by this programme. 

Agroforestry systems present numerous benefits in the responsible use of dwindling water resources. Root penetration promotes distribution of water from deep strata while shading reduces surface water evaporation.

Mareike Jäger, agroforestry expert and General Manager of SilvoCultura) 

Support for agroforestry systems 
Through this cross-border support programme, agricultural operations will receive financial support for establishing new agroforestry systems. New plantations and regular maintenance are supported with an amount per planted tree. This support can be combined with national direct payments (if it can be proven that further support is needed this may be provided by private organisations, for example). Participating operations also benefit from two on-site consultations by SilvoCultura, free of charge, to ensure that agroforestry systems are adapted to local and operation-specific conditions as well as extreme weather conditions, including heatwaves and flooding. 

The programme covers the initial costs of planting the trees, which I am very happy about. The advice from Mareike Jäger from SilvoCultura helped me a lot. She came to the farm and we exchanged ideas. There are few agroforestry experts, especially those who are also familiar with established systems.

Tilika Chamberlin, farmer, participant in the agroforestry promotion programme 

Trees offer a wide range of benefits  
The living, woody biomass of fruit, wild fruit and deciduous trees in agroforestry systems draws CO2 from the atmosphere. The climate impact of agroforestry trees comes from their carbon sink effect, one of the “nature-based” solutions. In addition, the trees offer positive added value in other areas, by reducing nutrient and pesticide deposits in waterways, improving natural nutrient management and providing valuable habitats for diverse animal species. All this means that agroforestry systems help maintain and promote biodiversity. 

Register now! 
If you are interested in receiving support for your agricultural operation, check the application form to see if you fulfil the approval criteria, and then send the completed application form directly to SilvoCultura. It is important that the trees have not yet been ordered or planted. 

You can read more about this in the article «Agroforestry as afforestation's little sister».

Are you just interested in planting standard fruit trees, and not timber trees? Then take a look at our Standard Fruit Tree Support Programme for Hochstamm Suisse members.  

This project contributes to three SDGs*

*as at the end of 2024. Find out how myclimate reports these SDGs in our FAQ.

At least 400 hectares of agricultural land managed sustainably.

Carbon sink effect of a total of 50,000 t CO₂.

Over the course of the programme, 20,000 trees are to be planted.