UNHIDE Agroforestry - A Knowledge Exchange Latvia- Sweden 2023-25 - Report - Page 6
To celebrate the summer solstice, men wear wreaths of
oak leaves and women of linden leaves. Painting at the
Skrīveri Agricultural Institute.
easily be evaluated solely in terms of measurable
monetary benefits. Just as a person’s contribution
may be priceless in terms of humanism, altruism,
or lifelong unpaid devotion to the common good,
trees contribute far beyond their yield. During this
project, a parallel was drawn between economic
expectations placed on trees and those placed on
young people, in our conversations illustrated by
the famous Swedish photorealistic painting “Will
you become profitable, little,friend?” by Peter Tillberg (1970, Swedish Museum of Modern Art). The
painting depicts a colourless elementary school
classroom in Sweden, with students seated in rigid
rows. It was a contribution to a broader debate on
the impoverishment of the Swedish countryside
following the “efficiency transformation” of society
underway at the time.
Meanwhile, habits and beliefs are deep rooted,
and the old-school industrial efficiency persists as
a leading ideal at agricultural universities and institutions, as it fits better into yesterday’s economic
model. While climate change increasingly challenges farmers to partner with nature’s ability to create
balance, trees on farm land are still considered
tabu. Arguing for example that “trees provide a
reliable hydrology regulation in agriculture” is still
met with skepticism, while demanding more covered drainage ditches in response to heavier rain
falls remains status quo. But wouldn’t a cost-benefit analysis of a completely independent food
system be rational — even if that system is inferior
within today’s economic competition?
4. CONCLUSION
LIVESTOCK AND TREE
CROPS INSTEAD OF
EMERGENCY STOCK
Beyond the escalating impacts of climate stress,
