A conceptual framework for the agroecological integration of systems combining crop and livestock farming

Reintegrating arable farming and livestock production into mixed farming systems is a key challenge in the greening of agriculture. To support the design of such systems at farm and regional levels, we propose a conceptual model of integration based on two approaches: material flows, with a view to improving resource efficiency; and ecosystem services, with a view to replacing chemical inputs. This model, based on the interactions between grassland, arable crops and livestock, can be adapted to existing systems and to the design of innovative systems, and enables us to envisage the coordination between stakeholders required to implement agroecological integration. Such coordination generates socio-economic services that can be targeted and optimised. We believe that integrating these frameworks into a participatory design method, together with the associated tools, holds great promise for supporting the integration of arable farming and livestock production.