Agroforst network NRW: Discover new opportunities for the Lower Rhine!

Agroforst network NRW: Discover new opportunities for the Lower Rhine!

The two-day annual meeting of the Agroforst network NRW recently took place in Kleve and was organized by the Transregint-Transformation of the Lower Rhine region: Innovation, sustainability, participation. This network was launched in August 2023 to bring representatives from different areas that deal with Agroforstwirtschaft. The focus is on discussing the challenges and opportunities of the Agroforstwirtschaft in North Rhine-Westphalia and developing solutions. The Rhein-Waal University of Applied Sciences was at this event by experts such as Prof. Dr. Florian Wichern represented.

At the beginning of the meeting, Andre Seitz, a representative of the Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Traffic of North Rhine-Westphalia, emphasized the increasing interest in agroforS systems. He emphasized that the integration of trees into agricultural systems becomes increasingly relevant. "The AGROFORST map is growing steadily," said Dr. Leonie Göbel from the German Association for Agroforstwirtschaft (DEFAF) e. V. Together with Frauke Ganswind from the Working Group on Peasant Agriculture (ABL) NRW, she coordinates the network and also addressed the growing importance of marketing options for agroforest products.

marketing options for agricultural products

Under the motto "Value creation in Agroforstsystems in NRW", various best practice examples for marketing agricultural products were presented. Martin Pesch from the Institute for Applied Substance River Management explained how poplar systems can be used locally profitably. Julia Günzel reported on her experiences with regional added value in Lausitz, while Sven Leygraf from the Jülich research center emphasized the potential of the fiber economy in NRW. All participants agreed that a stronger participation in the respective value chain is an advantage for both the companies and the agroforary industry.

In a tasting that was part of the event rank, regional products were presented, including a chicken soup from the goose peter from Rommerskirchen and Ziegeneis from the Hogefeld Hof in Kalkar-Hanselaer. Such taste connections between agricultural production and marketing are crucial for the acceptance of agroforal products.

A central point of the discussion was the challenge of effectively marketing regional Agroforst products. Dr. Ana Kreter, project coordinator in the Agroforst Reallabor, explained that the investigation of possible markets is an important goal of the project. The support of the cooperation partners and the development of permanent marketing options are in the foreground of their work. "Agroforst products are not a substitute for the existing core business, but a valuable addition," she said.

The potential challenges and opportunities for the Agroforstory in the Lower Rhine region were intensively discussed during the meeting. Participants agreed that each region has specific requirements and structures that need to be taken into account. The question of the willingness of the company was also asked to accept agroforst products and to see an added value in it.

commitment and exchange in the Agroforst Realabor

Another focus of the event was the importance of the exchange among the actors of the Agroforstwirtschaft. In order to work successfully together, it is important to open communication channels and develop joint projects. The Agroforst Reallabor on the Lower Rhine wants to promote dialogue through regular meetings, so-called Agroforst-Stammtische. These meetings take place every two months in the Kleve area, and the next dates have already been determined: October 11th and December 6th. Interested parties can register by email.

In addition, there are options for continuing to pursue the successful approaches from the course of the event and make other participants accessible. The people who show interest are invited to host the regulars' table in their companies, which would promote the integration of theory and practice. The organizers want to create a space for networking and exchange of experiences that could strengthen the agroforal community.

The annual meeting illustrated the progressive development of the Agroforstwirtschaft in North Rhine-Westphalia. Regional peculiarities, innovative approaches and the commitment to cooperation are crucial to sustainably establish and develop agroforal systems. In a summed up feedback, the vision was also emphasized that the Lower Rhine could serve as a model region for the Agroforst network NRW, which could strengthen both the farms and sustainable management in the region in the long term. Information about the event and the next steps are also on www.lokalkompass.de to be found.