Agroforestry in Tuscany within AGROMIX, Italy

Agroforestry in Tuscany links farm practice and research to build climate resilience. Two complementary trial sites show how trees, crops and livestock are combined under AGROMIX and the regional GO NEWTON network. At Tenuta di Paganico (Grosseto), a silvopastoral system uses tree shade to buffer Mediterranean heat. Monitoring tracks animal behaviour, heat load, performance and hair cortisol. Results show clear summer benefits: cattle in shaded paddocks maintain average daily gain and lower heat stress, while in spring differences fade when thermal stress is low. At Arnino (CiRAA, Pisa), silvoarable alley cropping tests tree rows within rotations to improve soil fertility, biodiversity and carbon. Measurements cover yields, soils, weeds, microclimate and plant water status, building a long-term evidence base.

Design choices focus on tree density, windbreaks and machinery access, with practical challenges such as wildlife pressure and tree protection. Funding combines H2020 AGROMIX and the Tuscan rural programme; governance relies on a living-lab approach with farmers, universities and regional partners. Outreach includes demos and an Agroforestry School. Expected hydrological co-benefits are higher infiltration and soil moisture retention, supporting drought adaptation. The case shows that shade delivers fast welfare gains in hot summers, while soil and carbon benefits require time, making agroforestry a robust path for Mediterranean farms.