AGRICULTURA PARA O FUTURE

Plant for the Planet Accor program in AGRICULTURA PARA O FUTURE, PORTUGAL

KEY INFORMATION

PROJECT ACTIVITIES I N 2 0 1 5

MONITORING THE I M P A C T S

2 SUMMARY Develop competitive farming ecosystems

TYPE

Agroforestry / silvopastoralism

LOCAL PARTNER

Associação de Defesa do Património de Mértola (ADPM)

BENEFICIARIES

Conventional farmers interested in innovative sustainable agricultural practices and young organic farmers

MAIN THEMES

-Enhance the local economy by developing high-value agroforestry and silvopastoralism systems, with a focus on young farmers in organic production

-Support the functional biodiversity and conserve MAIN SOCIO-ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS diversity in farms

-Protect water resources in a region with high levels of desertification

OBJECTIVES

Plantation of 5,000 trees in 2015

3 3 LOCATION Baixo province, Portugal

Located in , the least populated region in Portugal

Unique landscape, characterized by traditional rural communities and vast open spaces

Very warm and dry climate: Alentejo is one of the hottest places in Europe

Local economy mainly based on agriculture, livestock and forestry (wheat, cork, olive oil , wine, cheeses, and hams) B a i x o A l e n t e j o

4 4 CONTEXT Rich local ecosystems but hostile agricultural conditions

TRADITIONAL AGROFORESTRY SYSTEMS

Agroforestry / silvopastoralism systems traditionally used since 300 years to grow cork: cork-oaks are mixed with livestock or vines, citrus or olive trees. Development of a uniquely rich and varied ecosystem.

EXTREME WEATHER

Dried summer and limited rainfall. Adverse climatic conditions expected to accentuate with climate change scenarios.

REDUCED BUSINESS TERRITORIAL DYNAMICS

Economy based in primary activities with low transformation technologies and low investment capacities. High unemployment and long history of migration process to cities and other countries.

5 5 OBJECTIVES Develop competitive farming ecosystems

Integrate trees thoughtfully in and around farms, hence improving productivity and delivering real business benefit L O C A L ECONOMY Support the setting-up of young farmers in organic production ENHANCING

Provide additional sources of income from fruits, oak and timber.

Attract a functional biodiversity for agricultural production: crop pollination, pest control, soil quality…

BIODIVERSITY Provide shade and shelter for livestock S U P P O R T &

CONSERVATION Support the conservation of diversity within farms

Benefit the wider ecosystem by providing wildlife habitat

Protect water resources in a region with high levels of desertification W A T E R

CONSERVATION Improve water efficiency in crops and increase resilience against drought

6 6 LOCAL PARTNER ADPM

“Associação de Defesa do Património de Mértola”

Portuguese NGO created in 1980 to take part in the sustainable development of Mertola (Alentejo).

Actions to support farmers willing to strengthen the sustainability of their farms (organic farming, integrated production, permanent crops, extensive grazing…)

Since 2008, specific program to ADPM’S PLANTATION PROJECT OF MEDICINAL PLANTS IN MONTE DO VENTO support young farmers interested in organic production.

7 7 AGRICULTURA PARA O FUTURE, PORTUGAL

KEY INFORMATION

P R O J E C T ACTIVITIES IN 2015

MONITORING THE I M P A C T S

8 PROJECT DESIGN Elaboration of 2 plantation models for farmers

M O D E L 2 : PLANTATIONS M O D E L 1 : AROUND FARMS INTERCROPPING

PICTURE: AGROOF

9 9 PROJECT DESIGN Model 1: Intercropping

Combination of trees with agricultural and/or livestock activities in the same parcel COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

Romãzeira Punica granatum L. OBJECTIVES

Enhance the direct environmental Alfarrobeira Ceratonia siliqua services provided by trees: soil enrichment, reduction of soil erosion, Medronheiro Arbutus unedo regulation of micro-climate, pollination, integrated pest control… Oliveira Olea europaea

PLANTATIONS IN 2015 Amendoeira Prunus amygdalus

2 520 trees to be planted in 2015 with 6-8 farmers on 18 hectares Azinheira Quercus ilex

DENSITY Sobreiro Quercus suber

Approx. 140 trees / ha SELECTED TREE SPECIES Selection of species based on appropriate combination with culture & pasture, economic value for farmers (additional revenues distributed over time), farmer’s interest;

10 10 PROJECT DESIGN Model 2: Plantations around farms

Plantation of trees around COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME agricultural plots Rosmaninho Lavandula stoechas Alecrim Rosmarinus officinalis Apiarian OBJECTIVES Laranjeira Citrus sinensis vegetation Lentisco Phillyrea angustifolia Preserve biodiversity and water ressources: hedges, riparian Murta Myrtus communis vegetation, ecological corridors, Freixo Fraxinus angustifolia hotspots, dams perimeter… Loendro Nerium oleander Tamujo Fluggea tinctoria Riberian Salgueiro-branco Sambucus nigra PLANTATIONS IN 2015 vegetation Tamargueira Tamarix spp.

2 500 trees to be planted in 2015 with Choupos-negro Populus nigra 10 farmers Choupo-branco Populus alba Salgueiros Salix salvifolia Pereira Brava Pyrus bourgaeana PLANTING DISTANCE Aroeira Pistacia lentiscus

In lines of 0.5 m Zambujeiro Olea europaea sylvestris Medronheiro Arbutus unedo Ecological Pilriteiro Crataegus monogyna corridors Urze Erica Australis Catapereiro Pyrus bourgaeana Carrasco Quercus coccifera Murta Myrtus communis

SELECTED TREE AND PLANT SPECIES Selection of species based on appropriate micro-climatic conditions and their value for biodiversity and water proservation

11 11 PROJECT ACTIVITIES Planning

Identification of (+/-) 10 participating farmers APRIL-MAY 2015 Mapping of the parcels

Signature of contracts with participating farmers JUNE –JULY 2015 Design of the planted parcels: species, models

JULY – SEPTEMBER Order of trees in local tree nurseries 2015 Training of participating farmers

Land preparation SEPTEMBER – Plantation of (+/-) 3,000 trees NOVEMBER 2015 Mulching Installation of protections and supports for trees

DECEMBER 2015 Monitoring

12 12 AGRICULTURA PARA O FUTURE, PORTUGAL

KEY INFORMATION

PROJECT ACTIVITIES I N 2 0 1 5

MONITORING THE I M P A C T S

13 MONITORING THE IMPACTS Expected b e n e f i t s

INTENSIVE SINGLE-CROP FARMING SUSAINAIBLE AGROFORESTRY

Intensive agriculture requires constant and large inputs of fertilisers, Together with trees, multifunctional agroforestry systems inpired from water, seeds, etc. to compensate for losses at all levels. natural ecosystems allow a progressive self enrichment of the system, constantly raising resiliency and autonomy. It is well adapted to small areas and local farmers.

14 DELIVERABLES What do you get after planting the trees?

. Tree planting certificate

. Specific extracts from the planting registry with information on the participating farmers, their parcel, tree species, GIS records

. Google Earth file with geolocalization of the specific planted parcels

. Annual monitoring reports on the plantations

. Pictures, free to use for communication

. Interviews with participating farmers in the program

. Educative materials (posters, folders, training kits,.) at your disposal for events / team communication

. Free access to visit the plantations at any time, with your team, clients, journalists…, press trips, team building planting, etc..

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