Judgement of Agroforestry Systems from the Perspective of Forest Managers

Horváth, Jolán – Szerb, Boglárka – Szente, Viktória

Keywords: agroforestry systems, environment, in-depth interviews, Q-method, strategy, Q01, Q13

In our study, we examine the assessment of agroforestry systems from the perspective of forest managers. In the course of the primary research, we conducted in-depth interviews with 12 higher educated (partly specialized) farmers, according to the results of which the role of agroforestry in agriculture can be significant both economically and environmentally. Farmers could be encouraged to enter farming mainly through more attractive subsidies, but it is also important to increase knowledge. Difficulties in the operation of the application system, lack of expertise and information. For the purpose of further data collection, we collected information among forest owners using the Q-method, which can still be considered a new research method in Hungary. In doing so, three factors were identified. The first group of opinions includes rejecters, whose practical experience should be an incentive to switch to agroforestry. The second factor includes the uncertain: their judgement would be facilitated by the dispersal of their doubts. The third group is the interested, who could be motivated by financial support and more information. The results of the research show that involvement in agroforestry activities can be achieved by a complex strategy.

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