AGROFORESTRY SYSTEMS: AN ALTERNATIVE FOR AGROECOLOGICAL PRODUCTION AND AGROECOLOGY TOOLS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF AZORES

Abstract

Agroforestry systems have assumed increasing importance in the occupation of the territory of mainland Portugal in recent decades. These are systems that concern areas occupied by different forest species associated with plant and/or animal production activities. And why not introduce this system in the fruiticulture sector in the Azores, when there are an ecological perspective, aiming not only to maximize production, but to optimize the total agroecosystem, including its sociocultural, economic, technical and ecological components. While this production system is being initiated in the Azores, the University of the Azores works with agricultural science students reserches natural and sustainable resources in agriculture like seaweed, Aloes vera, food waste, ashes, animal manure, algaes, phytoplankton, to encourage students to make choices that do not harm the environment and to improve agricultural production.