Guidelines for Branding and Certification in Agroforestry Business Plans
This report, developed within the DigitAF project, provides guidance for designing agroforestry business plans that incorporate branding and certification strategies to increase the value of agroforestry products and services. Building on previous analyses of agroforestry value chains and certification approaches across Europe, the report emphasizes that effective business planning should extend beyond technical, environmental, and financial considerations to include marketing and market development. It examines different pathways for capturing additional value from agroforestry systems, including short value chains, diversification of revenue streams through environmental service markets and recreation opportunities, and the use of branding and certification schemes. The report highlights the importance of defining brand identity, developing a clear value proposition, understanding market positioning, and considering collective approaches to branding. It also reviews certification options relevant to agroforestry products, including organic labeling, geographical indications, animal welfare standards, carbon sequestration, and biodiversity enhancement schemes. The findings suggest that integrating agroforestry into existing certification frameworks may be more effective than creating dedicated agroforestry certification systems. The report provides practical recommendations for producers, policymakers, and value-chain stakeholders seeking to improve market recognition, profitability, and sustainability of agroforestry enterprises.
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This works is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Authors
Burgess, P.,Aynekulu Betemariam, E.,Marco, B.,den Herder, M.,Hübner, R.,Lawson, G.,Moreno, G.,Smith, J.,Warlop, F.,Gosme, M.
Publication year
2026