Trees on the Land EIP Final Report

The Trees on the Land EIP final report highlights the establishment of silvoarable agroforestry trials and demonstrations on three Irish tillage farms. This flagship initiative aimed to provide farmers and stakeholders with a practical resource to learn about silvoarable systems and their benefits for biodiversity, farm sustainability, productivity, and the broader landscape. The project recognised the need for formal financial support and practical knowledge of silvoarable agroforestry in the arable sector. It explored diverse tree-planting systems, including traditional hedgerows, shelter belts, soakage belts, field trees, and more advanced grid, matrix, and alley systems. Key objectives included demonstrating benefits such as enhanced biodiversity, carbon sequestration, improved soil quality and nutrient cycling, improved water quality, increased farm productivity, and income diversification. The project designed and established three tailored farm projects, gathering baseline data. It facilitated farm walks and visits as a learning platform for the farming community and other stakeholders. Potential impacts on farm payments, such as the loss of Single Farm Payments, were carefully discussed with each farmer. Where necessary, planting designs ensured compatibility with existing and future payment schemes. While participating farms did not receive additional payments for involvement, all establishment costs were covered under the project. This initiative demonstrated how trees can be successfully integrated into commercial tillage systems without compromising farm productivity, offering a replicable model for farmers interested in tree planting or agroforestry.