Alley cropping with nut trees in Alphen, the Netherlands (Afnan Suleiman/Eline Keuning)
This agroforestry technology is applied on an organic farm located in the province of Noord-Brabant, Netherlands. Owned by a local farmer, the farm covers a total of 7.8 hectares. In 2018, this land was allocated for the Farm Life project, transforming it into agroforestry system. The farm integrates natural and agricultural elements, creating a sustainable environment where trees (chestnuts), crops, and pasture co-exist.
The agroforestry system on this farm is utilized for multiple purposes, including chestnut tree cultivation, agriculture, horticulture, and pasture. This diverse planting strategy allows the farmer to mix crop production with tree cultivation, where each component supports soil health and ecological balance. Chestnut trees, for example, are grown alongside mainly grasses, introducing perennial elements to the farm and diversifying the landscape.
Agroforestry merges natural ecosystems with agriculture, creating a system where nature actively enhances farm productivity. It allows farmers to move beyond monoculture farming by incorporating trees and shrubs into crop systems, promoting biodiversity as an essential part of farming. For example, integrating chestnut trees into these systems improves soil health, reduces erosion (as these are mainly sandy soils), and strengthens the farm’s resilience to environmental stress. This approach also creates income from products like chestnuts, which supports sustainable food production—a primary motivation for the farmer.
This agroforestry system, while beneficial, faces challenges in implementation and scaling-up. For example, perennial food crops are not yet commonly integrated into modern agroforestry systems, which limits their full potential. Establishing a guide on cultivation practices and securing better funding would be key steps to upscaling agroforestry production and making it more accessible. Additionally, adequate resources and guidance on plant selection, tree management, and harvesting methods would make it easier for farmers to adopt and sustain these practices.
Specifically to this agroforestry, compared to traditional fruit trees like apples and pears, chestnut trees require less intensive management—reducing labor as they naturally drop fruit and need less pruning. They also enhance biodiversity and can be financially beneficial. As a perennial carbohydrate source, chestnuts offer a sustainable, low-maintenance crop option that aligns with modern food production goals. Additionally, they can help revitalize traditional orchard landscapes and accelerate returns from forest areas through nut production, contributing to long-term ecological and economic benefits.
While agroforestry offers many environmental benefits, land users face several challenges. Initial investments in tree planting, maintenance, and management can be costly, and limited access to financial support often discourages smallholder farmers from adopting these practices. Some farmers also find the high diversity of species in agroforestry systems to be complex and challenging for achieving consistent product yields. There are also limitations in technology suited for small-scale agroforestry, such as a shortage of plant materials (e.g., seedlings) and limited guidance on establishing and maintaining agroforestry systems. On the positive side, farmers appreciate agroforestry’s contributions to a sustainable environment. The increased organic matter and diversity, improve soil health and crop productivity, and build resilience against environmental stressors, which makes agroforestry an option for long-term land management.
Location: Alphen, Noord-Brabant, Netherlands
No. of Technology sites analysed: single site
Spread of the Technology: evenly spread over an area (0.078 km²)
In a permanently protected area?: No
Date of implementation: less than 10 years ago (recently)
Type of introduction
slight decrease in leached nitrates
more machinery and labour needed
through diversification and added value of organic agriculture
above
above
through diversification
slight increase in scenic appeal of the area
fosters curiosity of surrounding land users
above
decreased water run off (low anyway, it's a flat area)
slight increase, see above
through tree shade
above
slight improvement, particularly around trees
the area surrounding the trees see a small an increase in vegetation diversity
carbon stored in the trees
see above
slight increase, particularly birds
trees host predatory insects and birds, which help controlling pests
trees offer some protection
tree rows offer wind protection
above
above
improved water quality through reduced nitrate leaching, affecting affecting both groundwater and rivers
trees sequesters some carbon in the form of organic matter
