Innovative agroecosystem goods and services: key profitability drivers in Swiss agroforestry

International audienceTrees that characterized many agricultural landscapes across Europe are declining, despite the recent revival of agroforestry research and increasing direct payments for their maintenance. Therefore, in addition to field experiments, there is a need for transdisciplinary research in close alliance with local farmers. This paper proposes a three-step participatory design and assessment approach, incorporating local innovation and scientific evidence. To our knowledge, this is the first participatory and bioeconomic analysis of farmer-designed agroforestry systems in Europe. First, an exploratory survey of farmers’ innovations in Switzerland was conducted together with a literature review. Based on the survey, 14 representative agroforestry practices were defined for the bioeconomic assessment, focusing on walnut (Juglans hybr.) and wild cherry (Prunus avium). The predictions of long-term yields were made with the Yield-SAFE model, and the profitability was assessed using the Farm-SAFE model. The survey results suggested a lack of local knowledge on key ecosystem services provided by agroforestry. It is therefore recommended to apply the concept of ecosystem services, in order to support the design of multifunctional agriculture and to increase the willingness to pay for its services. According to our yield predictions, mixing trees and crops was commonly more productive (12 out of the 14 options, land equivalent ratio = 0.95–1.30) than growing them in separate forestry or arable systems. This result contradicts the widespread view among modern Swiss farmers that agroforestry is unproductive. In terms of profitability, 68 % of the 56 financial scenarios for the agroforestry practices, particularly those linked to innovative marketing of fruit or receiving payments for ecosystem services, were found to be more profitable than the business as usual reference systems. These results demonstrate that there is a need and a value in bridging the gap between scientists and farmers, in order to coproduce applied knowledge for the design of productive agroforestry practices

RISE- Response-inducing sustainability evaluation

RISE is a computer-supported indicator-based method for assessing the economic, social and environmental sustainability performance of agricultural production at the farm level. The purpose of RISE is to contribute to enhancing the sustainability of agricultural production, by supporting knowledge-based processes that are founded on voluntary participation, confidentiality and capacity building. The evaluation is based on ten indicators that reflect environmental, economic and social aspects. The most important data source is a questionnaire-based interview with the farmer. The evaluated data are visualized as a sustainability polygon and serve as a basis to a feedback dialogue in which the farmer and the trained RISE consultant jointly identify potentials for improving farm sustainability performance. Training in the RISE method for professionals in the agriculture and related industries are regularly carried out. On completion of the course, participants are able to use the RISE method independently to evaluate the sustainability of agricultural operations. RISE is aimed at agricultural consultants, for use in education, in development projects and in raw material sourcing. The tool is internationally relevant for all farms, organic and conventional. The software has been tested around the world, is available in seven languages and can be used both on- and off-line