Ireland’s farmers “are now the new foresters”, given that afforestation schemes have led to the establishment of 26,000 private plantations in Ireland since 1980, most owned by farmers.
Eugene Curan, Government Forestry Inspector, notes that agroforestry provides the landowners with renewable energy sources, offsets carbon emissions from other farming practices, reduces nutrient inputs and run-offs, stabilises drainage, enhances animal welfare, improves animal nutrition, increases biodiversity, enhances the landscape and in some cases increases productivity.
