The development of agroforestry systems in Flanders. A farming systems research approach to social, institutional and economic inquiry.

Because of the multiple values and services that trees deliver to society, agroforestry is increasingly interpreted as an agricultural innovation that can help to address challenges in modern agriculture. Despite its potential opportunities in Flanders, many farmers remain skeptical though, resulting in adoption rates that are lagging behind. Therefore the objective of this thesis is to gain a better understanding of the unfavorable environment for agroforestry adoption and development making use of a farming systems research approach (FSR). In Chapter 2 we explain FSR as our general research approach, which implies the consideration of three key characteristics, i.e. systems thinking, interdisciplinarity and a participatory approach. Taking into account the general FSR characteristics, Chapter 3, 4 and 5 “diagnose” the agroforestry implementation gap more in detail. In chapter 3, we gain some first insights by assessing farmers’ intentions to engage in agroforestry and by giving an overview of the current agroforestry acreage in Flanders. In Chapter 4, we use the Agricultural Innovation Systems concept as general framework to identify the different stakeholders and their respective roles, and to give an overview of the different merits and failures with respect to agroforestry development. Afterwards Chapter 5 elucidates the different perspectives that exist on agroforestry systems among Flemish stakeholders, and links them with general discourses on agriculture in Flanders. Diagnostic analyses were followed up by design exercises in Chapter 6, which looks into different instruments that may give economic incentives to farmers to adopt agroforestry. Taking into account the gathered insights, we present in the main discussion chapter five development pathways to further stimulate agroforestry adoption and development: (1) the science and technology pathway, which stands for investing in research, especially targeting the productivity and compatibility of agroforestry systems, and this in active collaboration with farmers; (2) the market and financial pathway, which implies the creation of market mechanisms in which landscape and biodiversity aspects are valued, while stimulating private investments and consumer demand; (3) the policy and institutional pathway, which aims for the creation of a fully-fledged legal landscape for agroforestry, which is clear and steadfast into the future, and which should be complemented with an attractive and effective subsidy program; (4) the educational and organizational pathway, which stimulates the use of multiple communication and education channels to inform the relevant actors and familiarize them with agroecological practices and their benefits for society; and (5) the social and behavioral pathway, which encourages strengthening the dialogue between influential groups to restore mutual confidence, build up common visions, and open up collaboration opportunities. Through further systemic, interdisciplinary and participatory research, the identified development pathways should be translated into concrete action plans to eliminate adoption barriers and close the agroforestry implementation gap in Flanders.Doctorat en Sciences agronomiques et ingénierie biologique