Key aspects

The main objective of the projects we support is sustainable and ecologically oriented agriculture based on agroforestry principles. The accumulation of organic material in the soil and the availability of seeds and seedlings play a decisive role in this context. Agroforestry systems with trees are effective CO2 sinks, improve the soil’s capacity to store water and cool the atmosphere.

On this page

Agroforestry systems

Organic material

Plants for soil improvement

Seeds and seedlings

Local processing

Agroforestry: Trees as pillars of agriculture

The consistent integration of trees into land use systems, known as agroforestry, draws on long-established agricultural methods, but is still a young discipline in agricultural science. Data on the advantages of agroforestry systems is now being systematically collected: the microclimate is more humid, nutrients in the soil are better utilised and moreover, by optimising photosynthesis throughout the year, a high yield of organic material per unit area is achieved.

This broadens the view on parameters that are becoming more important in the face of climate change and resource scarcity, such as the plant nutrient phosphorus, and on those which increase the resilience of our land use systems. Smallholder farming, which is of greatest importance for our food production worldwide, is less mechanised and can adapt more flexibly to greater diversity in cultivation methods.
In contrast, monocultures result from a short-sighted economic mindset that places one-sided emphasis on certain aspects (e.g. mechanisation of field work and homogeneous crops). This ignores important factors such as lower ecological resilience and the necessary, increasingly expensive costs of fertilisers and pesticides.

Organic material: food for the soil

The organisms present in the soil, and in particular the diversity and quantity of microorganisms, are the decisive factor in soil fertility and its driving force. They need favourable conditions – the right amount of moisture and shade – and, above all, food in the form of organic material.

A vibrant soil life promotes soil root penetration, allowing rainwater to infiltrate better and moisture to be retained longer. It improves nutrient cycles in the soil and its buffering capacity. There are analogies with feeding ruminants, such as cows. The grass in their rumen must first be broken down by a variety of microorganisms; this symbiosis then results in milk and meat or body substance.

Burning plant material or clearing it away to create clean areas impoverishes the soil. We maintain and promote its fertility by designing our processes and cultivation systems so that part of the growing organic material remains as food for the soil and its living organisms.

Plants for the production of organic material

Whether we achieve sustainable cultivation or even regenerative agriculture that increases the humus content in the soil depends on the extent to which organic material is continuously produced in the fields and whether the microorganisms in the soil find favourable conditions. The aim is to achieve a high diversity and density of plants with different vegetation periods and different root systems, including both herbaceous and woody perennial species.

Plants whose primary purpose is to contribute to the productivity of the cultivation system are specifically included. They are intended to keep the soil shaded and use the light to build up organic matter. When these species are regularly cut back or complete their vegetation cycle, the material composts and maintains soil fertility at a high level.
The best results are achieved when the plants grow on the site itself, as the roots make up a large part of the organic matter and release root exudates that promote microbial soil life. With this approach, the organic material only needs to be spread over the area and does not need to be transported. Such plant species are “servants of the system” and valuable tools in the hands of farmers.

That is why we regularly work with project teams in a region to observe which plant species in the area meet these criteria. Their seeds are then harvested, and the different species are systematically tested on small observation plots in comparison with those that have proven themselves in other locations.

Seeds: Essential for an effective agroforestry system

It is becoming increasingly easy to find information about plants on the internet. However, it is more important to test promising species locally and observe them during their vegetation cycle. This requires appropriate seeds or planting material.
The international shipment of seeds is particularly complex and expensive due to national phytosanitary formalities and the risk of introducing diseases. This makes it even more important to have a network of projects in each country that can be used to distribute seeds within the country itself. We promote such networks and provide support in procuring seeds for local testing and for the further propagation of proven plant species.

Local processing: adding value in the region

Local processing and appropriate preservation of crops improve self-sufficiency and reduce dependence on local buyers, as the products can also be transported to more distant markets. This significantly increases the potential for generating income compared to selling unprocessed agricultural products.

Fruit can be preserved by processing it into purees, which are then bottled and stored in airtight jars. When pasteurised at over 80 °C and at an acid value (pH) below 4, the purees can be kept for many months.
An alternative method of preservation is to dry the fruit. However, this often proves difficult to implement in regions with high humidity. It also carries the risk of toxins developing in the end-product due to mould. These cannot be detected by simple means, unlike possible fermentation faults in fruit purees in jars.
Local processing offers the great advantage that the optimal ripeness of each fruit variety can be considered. In addition, the fruit skins and other leftovers remain in the region and serve as food for animals and microorganisms in the soil.

Motorised machines can greatly increase productivity during harvest preparation and the first stages of processing (e.g., threshing machines, mills, and presses), thereby significantly improving local value creation. Innovative processes are particularly attractive to younger people in their search for life prospects and can contribute to strengthening a region.

Arrow right icon