Transforming European Food Systems with Agroforestry

The European Union is at a critical juncture in its pursuit of sustainable development and climate resilience. As global challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, water management and food insecurity intensify, innovative and holistic approaches to food and farming are essential. There is growing recognition of the need for a significant transformation in the agricultural sector to enhance its sustainability, resilience, and responsiveness to societal and policy demands. This is highlighted in numerous policy documents and initiatives as expressed in the Dialogue of the Future of EU Agriculture (EU Commission, 2024). Agroforestry, a set of agroecological4 management practices that integrates trees and shrubs with agricultural land, emerges as a transformative solution that aligns with the EU’s strategic goals for a resilient and sustainable food system.