Project RURALITIES’ Post

The NATURE+ Initiative in Vietnam promotes sustainable agriculture and biodiversity conservation in the northwestern provinces of Lao Cai and Son La. Known for their terraced rice fields and diverse ethnic groups, these regions have significant potential for sustainable food production. Key achievements include training 20 genebank professionals and 160 farmers (mostly women) on agrobiodiversity and sustainable farming practices, mapping 200 households for agrobiodiversity assessment, and identifying 100 tree species for restoration efforts. The initiative also partnered with the UNDP and Vietnam’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to support rural bio-economy activities.  This year, NATURE+ continues its work with genebank professionals, develops agrobiodiversity conservation schemes, and expands agri-value chains. Additional efforts include further research on soil health, the creation of agrobiodiversity conservation incentives, and stakeholder dialogues on true cost accounting. The Initiative collaborates closely with national and local partners, farmers’ groups, and educational institutions to align with government priorities and enhance community engagement in nature-positive activities. https://lnkd.in/dgyM2dyW CIRAD Vietnamese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (VAAS)  Plant Resources Center (PRC)  Fruit and Vegetable Research Institute (FAVRI)  Northern Mountainous Agriculture and Forestry Science Institute (NOMAFSI) Center for Environment and Community Research (CECR) United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Partnership for Sustainable Agriculture (PSAV)  Science Institute of Rural Development (SIRD)  Vietnam Academy of Forestry Sciences (VAFS) Vietnam National University of Agriculture Development and Policies Research Center (DEPOCEN) Department of Economics, Sa Pa Province  Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD), Mai Son Province   Diego Naziri Cornelis Swaans Riina Jalonen #NaturePositive  #Agrobiodiversity  #WithScienceWeCan  #OneCGIAR  #CGIARResearch  Carlo Fadda Solomie Gebrezgabher Stef de Haan  Chris Kettle  Kristin Davis   

How to understand outcomes of conservation actions? Recommending a highly instructive meta-analysis of 186 global studies, including 665 trials, published in #Science, that measured biodiversity over time and compared outcomes under conservation action with a suitable counterfactual of no action. The research provides compelling evidence that in two-thirds of cases, nature #conservation either improved the state of #biodiversity or at least slowed declines. Specifically, the research finds that interventions targeted at species and ecosystems, such as invasive species control, habitat loss reduction and restoration, protected areas, and sustainable management, are highly effective and have large effect sizes. Those are key reasons why we at Good Energies Foundation are investing in partnerships with organizations like Terrasos in #Colombia; Rioterra Amazon Studies Center, re.green and Belterra Agroforestry in #Brazil; African Parks Network, Treevive, CIFOR-ICRAF, World Agroforestry, and NATURAL STATE on the mother continent; Fairventures Social Forestry Indonesia, EcoNusantara and Wetlands International in Asia; and NatureFinance at the global level, because, as eloquently concluded in the research: “conservation actions are investments rather than payments - and, they are typically investments that yield genuine, high-magnitude positive impacts.” Our gratitude to the lead authors, including Penny Langhammer, Joe W Bull, Jake Bicknell, Mary Brown, Mike Bruford, Stuart Butchart, Jamie Carr, Don Church, Rosie Cooney, Wendy Foden, Matt Foster, Claude Gascon, Jonas Geldmann, Piero Genovesi, Jo Howard-McCombe, Tiffany Lewis, Zoe Melvin, Rossana Stoltz Merizalde, Shyama Pagad, Beth Polidoro, Wes Sechrest, Kevin Smith, Janna Steadman, Jake Williams, for providing strong evidence that conservation actions are successful, but require transformational scaling up to meet global targets. In sum, a compelling, science-based call to action that we all have to invest in #nature, as much as she invests in us. This is not an act of charity, but a high-yielding investment into our planetary foundations! 🙏🏾🌍🌳 See full report below, or download in the following link https://lnkd.in/gnV_Qpz7

🌍ReForest #LivingLab 8, situated in Spain, holds profound significance for project implementation. It is much more than a research space; it's an ecosystem where innovation, collaboration, and transformation take the stage. 💡Resulting from dynamic collaboration between CREAF & Euro-Mediterranean Economists Association - EMEA, this #LivingLab aims to investigate and redefine financial and policy models in #agroforestry. 🌱Why #agroforestry? It's more than a farming practice; it's a philosophy harmonising ecological #sustainability with economic viability. By integrating trees into agricultural landscapes, we unlock a realm of possibilities: from enhanced #biodiversity to #carbonsequestration, from resilient food systems to sustainable livelihoods. 🤝However, we can't achieve this alone. #LivingLab 8 delves into bridging science and society, theory and practice, to craft inclusive solutions. Their key objectives include: 🚀Fostering collaboration and #synergies between projects and activities. 🚀Generating critical mass in the analysis of agriculture, forestry, and agroforestry finance. 🚀Creating opportunities for research projects and initiatives to leverage the research and impact potential of Living Lab 8. 👉 Explore more about Living Lab 8 on the project website: https://lnkd.in/dEir9RNH #Agroforestry #Sustainability #Finance #Policy #ResearchCollaboration #LivingLab8 #CREAF #EMEA #HorizonEurope

• PART 2 EARTH DAY THOUGHTS * "Scaling up Agroforestery" Stepping back to December 2023 I was invited to FAO in Rome to speak on my family's agroforestery journey. It was the first ever Special Joint Event put on by the #FAO Committee on Forestry (COFO) during the 174th Session of the FAO Council. "Scaling Up Agroforestry" was the event title. Possibly misguided but a clear effort to understand the importance of agroforestry to Earth. Not only were the UN Climate Change representatives recognising agriculture at #COP28 in Dubai that week but at FAO in Rome the UN body for agriculture was recognising the importance of the role that agroforestry represents for the #sustainability and #resilience in our agricultural systems. Forestry and food and fibre are all part of one system. Thank you to #Nuffield Australia and the Future Drought Fund Scholarship #FDF for making it possible for me to continue delving into this subject as a hands on farmer and forester. My personal learnings and published research will highlight some of the barriers that we face in grazing and cropping areas when it comes to integrating trees effectively. Watch the FAO Special Joint Event session in the link below if you can and of course you're welcome to skip forward to the 30.15 mark where I get the floor briefly. I think the remarks from Director Qu Dongyu hint at the struggle that our world leaders face in addressing reafforestation that is integrated with food and fibre production. Just another reason why agroforestry really has to be solved locally for Earth's sake. PS. More travel reports to come! https://lnkd.in/gu9_EYJA . . . . #FutureDroughtFund #droughtresilience #COFO2024 #COP28 #nuffieldaustralia #nuffieldag #ausag #aussiefarming #farmingaustralia #scholarships #agriculture #drought Australian Forest Growers Nuffield Australia World Agroforestry Rowan Reid Michelle Gortan Sue Ogilvy Charlotte Weston National Farmers' Federation Wayne Dredge Elaine Springgay Lyndall Bull Diane Maquigny

🌿We believe that continuous engagement with stakeholders and effectively communicating the benefits of #agroforestry are crucial for achieving broader support. 🌱 Recently, our partners Simon Swatek, representing ReForest, and Marcos Jiménez Martínez from #ABCDR, participated in meeting of the Agroforestry and Agricultural Woody Structures Working Group, part of the Small Farmers Association (#AbL) in Germany. 🌐The virtual event brought together #AbL members and experts from diverse sectors, including practical farming 🚜, arboriculture 🌳, nature conservation 🌾, and agricultural research 📚. 📊🌳 While #ABCDR highlights the biophysical potential of trees in agriculture as carbon sinks, ReForest focuses on various paths to foster #agroforestry adoption across Europe and ways to overcome existing barriers. 🌍During this engaging session, Simon and Marcos introduced ReForest and #ABCDR projects. Both projects take a #holisticapproach, using decision analysis 🔍 and probabilistic modeling 📊 to shape the future of #sustainablefarming. 🌿💡The event participants gained valuable insights into holistic systems analysis, decision-focused research, and the power of expert knowledge in quantitatively assessing the productivity of agroforestry systems. 💚🤝 We are incredibly grateful to the #AbL for this opportunity to engage with a wide range of German agroforestry stakeholders, especially smallholder farmers 🌾—key players in the transformative shift toward sustainable agriculture. ✨ #Agroforestry #SustainableAgriculture #ReForest #ResearchCollaboration #ClimateAction #Agroecology #HorizonEurope #Synergies

SPECIAL ISSUE: Agroforestry Systems for Sustainable Land Management: Innovations and Challenges is OPEN❗❗ - Correction on the deadline information - Dear colleagues! I would like to share with you the launch of a Special Issue entitled: "Agroforestry Systems for Sustainable Land Management: Innovations and Challenges". This Special Issue aims to bring together cutting-edge research and insights on the role of agroforestry in sustainable land management, with a particular focus on innovative practices, opportunities, and the challenges that come with implementing agroforestry systems. Agroforestry, blending trees with crops, is key for biodiversity, ecosystem services, and sustainable land use. It tackles climate change, food security, and biodiversity loss, enhancing agricultural productivity and soil health. It faces socio-economic and policy hurdles. This Special Issue invites research on agroforestry's impact, socio-economic aspects, policy support, technological innovations, and local practices, aiming to advance sustainable agriculture and environmental conservation. We welcome submissions on agroforestry's role in climate adaptation, ecosystem services, and landscape management. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. Please note the following correction to the deadline information: - Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 March 2025 We look forward to your contributions to this important field of study. Land MDPI #Agroforestry #Sustainable #Innovations #Challanges #SpecialIssue #OpenAccess #JCR

Meet SIANI’s expert groups – and learn how to become one! Until 9 June, you can apply to become a SIANI expert group, which is an opportunity to get support for cross sector groups with a project for more sustainable #FoodSystems. Check out this story to learn about our current four expert groups and their inspiring work on: 🍃 Land rights in Latin America. 🐝 Pollination in South Asia. 🐄 Waste recovery in Burkina Faso. 🌿 Agrobiologicals in East Africa. The groups address important challenges to food security, working together with local communities in low-income contexts. Here you can read more about their solutions and how to apply to become an expert group: https://buff.ly/3wesQ8X SEI — Stockholm Environment Institute SLU - Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences SIPRI FESonline undefined Sustainable Sanitation Alliance (SuSanA) We Effect Agroecology Coalition Lund University Centre for Sustainability Studies (LUCSUS) FIAN Sverige CIFOR - Center for International Forestry Research

Understanding the profound benefits of Ghaf trees for agroforestry and regenerative agriculture can revolutionize our approach to sustainable farming. The latest blog post published by our Give a Ghaf - Tree Planting Program, unveils the groundbreaking study by Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) in collaboration with M42 Health, on the Ghaf Tree’s genetic resilience. These magnificent trees can also transform agricultural landscapes: Ghaf trees are drought-tolerant and adaptable, thanks to their deep root systems that access groundwater, making them perfect for arid regions. They improve soil fertility by fixing atmospheric nitrogen, reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers. Additionally, Ghaf trees regulate microclimates by providing shade, lowering soil temperatures, and retaining moisture, creating optimal conditions for crops. Their extensive roots stabilise soil, prevent erosion, and serve as windbreaks, protecting crops from damage. Ghaf trees also enhance biodiversity by supporting a variety of wildlife, contributing to ecological balance and natural pest control. Learn more about the incredible benefits of Ghaf trees in our latest blog post: https://lnkd.in/d5fDyYQZ #RegenerativeAgriculture #Agroforestry #Sustainability #SoilHealth #GhafTree #ClimateResilience #Biodiversity #Goumbook #ChangingMindsets

🌍🌿 Celebrating World Environment Day 2024: The Power of Agroforestry and Polyculture! 🌿🌍   Today, on #WorldEnvironmentDay, let's spotlight two transformative agricultural practices that are making a significant impact on our environment and biodiversity: agroforestry and polyculture. Agroforestry integrates trees and shrubs into agricultural landscapes, creating a symbiotic relationship between forestry and farming. Polyculture, on the other hand, involves growing multiple crop species in the same space, mimicking the diversity found in natural ecosystems. Together, they offer a plethora of environmental benefits:   🌱 Boosting Biodiversity: Agroforestry systems can support up to 80% more biodiversity compared to traditional monoculture farms. They provide habitats for various species, from soil microbes to birds, creating a balanced and resilient #ecosystem.   💧 Water Conservation: Trees in agroforestry systems help improve soil structure and increase water infiltration rates by up to 60%, reducing runoff and erosion. This helps maintain groundwater levels and ensures sustainable water use.   🍃 Carbon Sequestration: Agroforestry can sequester an average of 0.2 to 0.8 metric tons of carbon per hectare per year. This contributes significantly to mitigating climate change by capturing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.   🌾 Soil Health: Polyculture enhances soil fertility by fostering diverse root systems and microbial activity. Studies show that polyculture fields have 30% more organic matter and nutrient cycling efficiency than monocultures. Did you know? 🌟 In some parts of the world, agroforestry has been shown to increase crop yields by up to 56% compared to conventional farming methods!   On this World Environment Day, let's acknowledge and support these sustainable practices. By embracing agroforestry and polyculture, we not only enhance our agricultural productivity but also play a crucial role in conserving our environment and enriching biodiversity.   🌍✨ Together, we can cultivate a greener, healthier planet. Happy World Environment Day 2024! 🌿💚 #WorldEnvironmentDay #Agroforestry #Polyculture #Biodiversity #SustainableAgriculture #ClimateAction #GreenFarming #EcoFriendly #SoilHealth #WaterConservation #CarbonSequestration #NaturaYuva #SustainableFarming #BiodiversityConservation

🌳We thrilled to announce the ReForest at the #MICEB 2024 Conference on September 12th in Montenegro! 🌍Organized under the CROSS-REIS Project framework, this event will bring together experts, researchers, and professionals to discuss sustainable #agriculture and #forestry solutions for Europe. 🌾YeganehForouheshfar, Senior Researcher at Euro-Mediterranean Economists Association - EMEA, will deliver an insightful presentation on “Impact Financing Schemes to Promote Regenerative Agroforestry Business in Europe: The Contribution of the ReForest Project.” 🌿 This presentation will highlight our innovative #financingmodels designed to support #agroforestry practices across Europe, fostering #sustainable land management, #biodiversity, and economic resilience for farmers and communities. Key topics at MICEB 2024 include: 💰 Innovative financial mechanisms to support regenerative agriculture and agroforestry. 🌳 Regenerative Agroforestry Practices. 🏛️ Developing frameworks to scale agroforestry practices and support rural development. 🧪 Latest insights into tools and technologies driving #agroforestry in Europe. 🌍🌿This is an incredible opportunity for ReForest to showcase our ongoing work, network with fellow experts, and build collaborations that advance agroforestry as a transformative solution for sustainable landscapes. 🔗 Learn more about the conference and join us in driving positive change: https://lnkd.in/dmmWzhy8 🌿🌎💚#Sustainability #Agroforestry #RegenerativeAgriculture #ReForest #MICEB2024 #Networking #ClimateAction #Biodiversity #HorizonEurope