Digital tools to move from idea to planting plan
Establishing an agroforestry plot is a decision that should not be taken lightly, but rather requires thorough research. After all, it is a long-term investment.
In “Digging Deeper”, the bi-monthly newsletter about Inagro's agroforestry plot, you can find out why Inagro is committed to agroforestry and what you need to take into account before you start planting your agroforestry plot. Below, we take a closer look at the digital technologies and tools that can help you and make your agroforestry planting a success. By bringing all this data together, we can make a well-informed decision that will make the planting a success.
You have undoubtedly already come across them but may not have given them much thought.
Digital information/knowledge platforms
Digital information platforms can help you make a well-informed choice. There are information platforms that explain what agroforestry can mean for your business, as well as platforms that help you choose trees, orientate your planting and provide basic information about the soil conditions on your plot.
The platforms below were used in the design of Inagro's agroforestry plot:
- The Agroforestry Flanders knowledge platform provides a lot of information about the possibilities, the start-up and management of agroforestry systems.
- The ecopedia knowledge platform boomwijzer provides a wide range of information about tree species which is important for making your agroforestry adventure a success. After all, planting the right tree in the right place is crucial to a successful agroforestry project.
- Geopunt provides basic information about soil type, orientation, slope, flood susceptibility and drainage of your plot. These are important factors when choosing the right tree species.
- In addition to knowledge platforms where freely available information can be found, there are also closed knowledge/information platforms such as Watch It Grow, where companies can keep track of their data and link it to satellite images, among other things.
Please note! Digital information platforms alone are not sufficient and must be combined with your own knowledge of the plot and the crops that will be grown between the trees. Digital technologies are helpful, but must be used appropriately.
Soil scans and analyses
Digital information and knowledge platforms are a good starting point for making informed decisions when planning agroforestry planting. By also using digital technologies that reveal more details about soil quality, choices can be further substantiated.
We can use soil analyses and soil scans to support the information previously obtained from the digital knowledge and information platforms:
- Soil analyses give us a better understanding of the nutritional status of the plot and, linked to this, the possible tree choices.
- A soil scan goes into even greater detail and reveals the heterogeneity of the plot in terms of pH and carbon.
Drones and satellite images
Ook het perceel vanuit een andere invalshoek bekijken, namelijk de lucht, levert waardevolle informatie. Zo kunnen satellietbeelden of dronebeelden delen in het perceel ontdekken die minder opbrengen dan andere. Hiermee worden probleemzones van een perceel in beeld gebracht. Deze inzichten dienen als basis om verder op zoek te gaan naar mogelijke oorzaken van deze "mindere" plekken en kunnen ook inzichten geven waar de bomenrijen het best worden in geplant.
Viewing the plot from a different angle, namely from the air, also provides valuable information. Satellite images or drone images can reveal parts of the plot that are less productive than others. This allows problem areas of a plot to be identified. These insights serve as a basis for further investigation into the possible causes of these “less productive” areas and can also provide insights into where the rows of trees are best planted.
GIS Software
By combining data from knowledge and information platforms, soil scans and analyses, and own knowledge of the plot with drone and satellite images, we obtain a detailed overview of the plot, which is then used in GIS software packages to develop a detailed plan that can be put into practice.
A lot of digital tools and technologies are used in the creation of an agroforestry plantation. However, many of these digital tools are so commonplace that they are sometimes taken for granted. By combining all the data obtained from these tools, well-considered decisions can be made when planting an agroforestry system, maximising its success.
Next steps
