Tenure security: A critical factor in agroforestry adoption for tenant farmers in England

Global biodiversity degradation is driven by agriculture, population growth, industrialization, and climate change. To address this, the UK aims to plant 1 million hectares of new woodland by 2050. However, tree planting rates fall short of targets. Agroforestry, which combines agriculture and forestry, could help achieve this goal by utilizing agricultural land. In England, 2.9 million hectares of land are rented, offering a large area for agroforestry adoption. This qualitative research study, based on expert interviews with British stakeholders, aimed to identify English agricultural sector tenancy agreement aspects influencing tenant farmer decision-making in the context of agroforestry adaptation and perceived tenure security. Four topics influencing tenant farmers’ perceived tenure security and decision-making in agroforestry adaptation were identified: 1. Tenancy duration: Short-term agreements hinder long-term investments in sustainable practices. 2. Restrictive clauses: Legal frameworks offer flexibility, but tenancy agreements often include restrictive clauses limiting agricultural practices. 3. Tree ownership: Trees are owned by the landlord, even if planted and financed by the tenant. 4. End of tenancy: Tenant farmers lack investment protection, with inadequate compensation and transfer clauses. These topics contribute to tenure insecurity of tenant farmers and disincentivize agroforestry adoption on tenanted land in England, underscoring the need for further research to address these challenges.