Potential for Regional Agroforestry Products
The project TransRegINT – Transformation of the Lower Rhine Region: Innovation, Sustainability, Participation – hosted the two-day annual meeting of the Agroforestry Network NRW. The Agroforestry Network NRW was founded in August 2023 on the initiative of the Working Group for Peasant Agriculture (AbL) NRW e.V. and the German Association for Agroforestry (DeFAF) e.V. Its goal is to bring together representatives from various sectors connected to agroforestry—such as agriculture, nature conservation, science, agricultural consulting, associations, and administration—to discuss key challenges, opportunities, and measures to strengthen agroforestry, always with a focus on the state of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW). The Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences (HSRW) was represented at the event by Prof. Dr. Florian Wichern and scientific staff member Anna-Lea Ortmann from the Faculty of Life Sciences.
In his welcoming address, Andre Seitz from the Ministry for Environment, Nature Conservation, and Transport of NRW (Department III-3 Natura 2000, Compatibility Assessments, Energy Transition) emphasized the growing interest in agroforestry systems. Participants confirmed that the integration of woody plant systems into agricultural production is gaining momentum. “The agroforestry map is continuously expanding,” said Dr. Leonie Göbel from DeFAF e.V., who coordinates the network together with Frauke Ganswind from AbL NRW. Both coordinators stressed the increasing importance of marketing options for agroforestry products in their introduction.
Aligned with the event’s theme, “Value Creation in Agroforestry Systems in NRW,” presentations were given on marketing possibilities and best-practice examples for the utilization of agroforestry products, followed by discussions on open questions and existing needs.
Martin Pesch from the Institute for Applied Material Flow Management presented how poplar systems can be regionally valorized. Julia Günzel from DeFAF shared experiences on regional value creation in the Lusatia region. Sven Leygraf from the Jülich Research Center showcased opportunities for the fiber industry in NRW. The consensus among participants was that the more farms engage in the respective value chain, the more profitable it becomes for them. The meeting concluded with a tour of the agroforestry system at Hof Berkhöfel in Bedburg-Hau.
Agroforestry Products from the Lower Rhine
Catering included tastings from cooperation partners of the Agroforestry Living Lab. Among others, participants enjoyed chicken soup from Gänsepeter in Rommerskirchen at lunch and goat milk ice cream from Hogefelder Hof in Kalkar-Hanselaer in the afternoon.
In her presentation, Dr. Ana Kreter, Project Coordinator of the Agroforestry Living Lab within TransRegINT, addressed the challenge of locally marketing agroforestry products from the region. Investigating possible markets for products from Lower Rhine agroforestry is part of the project’s work. The Agroforestry Living Lab at HSRW not only supports and researches the implementation of new agroforestry systems with its partners but also develops long-term marketing opportunities with them. She emphasized that agroforestry products are an addition to the core business of the cooperating partners.
“How do the agroforestry products of our partners work regionally? How can they use existing marketing channels? This consideration will look very individual for each partner, as we work with very diverse, specialized farms and agroforestry systems,” she explained.
According to her, the Lower Rhine has the potential to become a model region for the Agroforestry Network NRW. This point was repeatedly emphasized during the meeting: each federal state faces specific agroforestry challenges, and within NRW—a large area—regional structures are particularly needed to address local questions.
Questions raised, and among others to be answered by the Agroforestry Living Lab at the Lower Rhine, include societal acceptance of the added value of agroforestry products and the development of an agroforestry label.
Personal Connections Matter
To get something functional off the ground, people need to talk and exchange ideas. The right actors must be brought together, for example, for joint processing of agroforestry products or coordinating woody plant species and quantities. The Agroforestry Living Lab at the Lower Rhine has already established a starting point with its agroforestry regulars’ table for practitioners, held every two months.
The Agroforestry Regulars’ Table takes place in the Kleve area and preferably on agricultural farms. The next dates are October 11 and December 6. Registration is requested by email at agroforst@hochschule-rhein-waal.de. The exact address will be provided after registration.
The Agroforestry Living Lab is looking for interested parties who can host the regulars’ table on their farm, possibly combined with a site visit. The team can be contacted via the email above.
Background
The Agroforestry Living Lab is a transformation project within TransRegINT – Transformation of the Lower Rhine Region: Innovation, Sustainability, Participation. It advises on regionally adapted agroforestry systems and creates a regional network of different actors. The Agroforestry Living Lab team scientifically accompanies implementations to collect data on the ecological, economic, and social performance of these systems. With TransRegINT, Rhine-Waal University aims to scientifically shape sustainable change in the region. The project is funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research through the “Innovative Hochschule” program, which supports universities in finding creative solutions to urgent challenges of our time. Until the end of 2027, TransRegINT will receive funding of nearly ten million euros, enabling it to develop solutions to shape the future of the region in line with the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
Contact
Dr. Ana Kreter
Project Coordinator Agroforestry Living Lab, TransRegINT
Center for Research, Innovation and Transfer
Phone: +49 (0) 2821 806 73-9950
Email: transregint@hochschule-rhein-waal.de
Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences
Founded in 2009, Rhine-Waal University stands for innovative, interdisciplinary, and international education. With campuses in Kleve and Kamp-Lintfort, the university offers 25 bachelor’s and eleven master’s degree programs across four faculties: Technology and Bionics, Life Sciences, Society and Economics, and Communication and Environment. The programs are scientific, application-oriented, and internationally focused. About 75% of the courses are taught in English, with over 6,500 students from more than 120 nations studying together in an environment chosen especially for its cultural diversity and internationality. This fosters intercultural exchange and optimally prepares students for the national and international job market.
Press Contact Rhine-Waal University
Christina Martens
Coordinator “Interaction Hub,” TransRegINT Project
Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences
Campus Kleve
Marie-Curie-Straße 1
D-47533 Kleve
Phone: +49 (0) 2821 806 73-9637
Email: transregint@hochschule-rhein-waal.de
Website: www.hochschule-rhein-waal.de