Earlier this year, the UK government announced new agroforestry-specific actions available through the Sustainable Farming Initiative (SFI) for farmers in England, a government scheme designed to promote sustainable agriculture. We look at the maintenance subsidies that are currently available.

A silvopoultry system integrates trees with poultry farming, especially in outdoor ranges for free-range or organic chicken systems. The idea is to provide chickens with an environment that mimics their natural habitat, as domestic chickens are descended from jungle fowl that live and roost in forested areas. By adding trees to the range, farmers can enhance the welfare of their chickens while also improving the overall health of the farm’s ecosystem.

A silvoarable system integrates trees with arable crops on the same piece of land. This approach allows farmers to produce valuable tree products such as timber, fruits, or nuts while continuing to grow their usual crops. The combination of these two components creates synergies that can enhance crop productivity, improve soil health, and increase biodiversity.

One of the most promising types of agroforestry for UK farmers is silvopastoral systems, which combine trees and livestock grazing on the same land. In this follow-up article, we’ll dive deeper into what silvopastoral systems are, how they are designed, and the key benefits they offer to both farmers and the environment.

As the UK agricultural sector faces growing challenges from climate change, soil degradation, and economic pressures, many farmers are looking for innovative ways to diversify their operations and boost resilience. One approach gaining traction is agroforestry - the practice of integrating trees and shrubs into crop and animal farming systems. In this first article of our series on agroforestry, we'll explore what it is, its potential benefits, and how it can fit into UK farm operations.