Socio-economically Fruithal Food Forest as agricultural alternative
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2024-08-11
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en
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This exploratory research analyses how agricultural intensity change influences the socio-economic sustainability of food forestry in the Netherlands. Food forestry is a highly nature-inclusive agricultural method deeply embedded in strong ideological values, resulting in generally small-scale and socio-ecologically oriented landscape management. Widespread adoption in professional agricultural settings has the potential to increase the total positive environmental impact. However, the capacity of food forests to intensify and professionalise whilst ensuring socio-economic sustainability outcomes remains to be tested. This research applies the integrated sustainability assessment from the sustainable intensification literature to create an in-depth analysis of professionalised food forestry. The framework helps to identify how mechanisms of agricultural intensity change affect the socio-economic sustainability indicators. Semi-structured interviews were held with 16 food forestry experts with diverse backgrounds. In addition, a content analysis of non-academic reports, articles, and economic figures provided additional data, complementing the interviews. However, little empirical economic data on (intensified) food forests are available due to most forests' early, unproductive, experimental stage. Findings demonstrate how intensification of the food forest design has the potential to increase annual yields, especially in the first decade. Establishing a short food supply chain is crucial for selling products for a sufficient price. Combined with appropriate income diversification, the net income is expected to be sufficient to support the farmer and provide additional meaningful employment. The sales channels and beneficial local cooperation demand a highly socially engaged farmer with excellent entrepreneurial skills. Results show that society benefits from a healthy food supply, recreational opportunities, and stimulation of local craftsmanship. Thus, the study concludes that agroecological intensification of food forests can deliver economic sustainability, contrary to mainstream assumptions about alternative production models. Social sustainability is also achievable through intensification, but food forests may have to shift from an ideological to a business-oriented stance towards production. The findings confirm that the social and economic dimensions are intertwined through similair intensification mechanisms. This study contributes a detailed view of food forestry within the academic debate on agroecological intensification and the future of sustainable agriculture. The findings underscore the potential of food forests as a sustainable agricultural alternative that balances productivity with environmental and social benefits. Future research should further diversify participant samples, gather additional empirical data on yields and costs, and expand geographic scope.
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Faculteit der Managementwetenschappen