Identification of the regional context to increase the use of species mixtures

Construction of solutions for maintaining the economic and environmental sustainability of the arable sector relies on demonstration and understanding of local practical knowledge. This report presents the results of a survey of growers to identify local practical knowledge of current species mixtures, the reasons for these current mixtures as well as barriers and enablers towards more intercropping approaches.
The key characteristics of those conducting food intercropping are contrasted against those who grow for forage and those who do not undertake these particular types of intercropping. A novel network approach is used to link the main types of intercropping and this indicates the diversity of intercropping strategies occurring across Europe. Moreover, farmers currently conducting food intercropping emerge as curiosity driven, generally younger and more focused on promotion of individual values around the environment. This seems to agree with the literature on both organic and agro-ecological farming practices. However, farmers have a core of belief around the economic sustainability of the business. The survey provides valuable data for the multi-actor partnerships currently evolving within the ReMIX project to understand the main barriers to uptake.