The importance of stone pine (Pinus pinea) forests and plantations in rural areas of the Mediterranean has been increasing, thanks to the rich flavor and excellent dietary value of pine nuts, which make them one of the most valuable nuts in the world. Proper management of stone pine trees can also help minimize the risk of abandonment and desertification in areas with limited income sources.

Although the stone pine is one of the most interesting tree species in the Mediterranean agroforestry economy, new and growing challenges must be anticipated and addressed in order to improve this important economic source of income for forest owners and throughout the value chain. In this context, networking between researchers and various stakeholders in the forestry sector is of utmost importance.

The main objectives of AGROPINE 2016 are to connect different researchers in the Mediterranean region, to update, share, and transfer current knowledge, to identify strategic research needs and opportunities for partnership and networking, and to analyze the current state of stone pine cultivation and pine nut markets.

For more information, please visit the event website http://agropine2016.iniav.pt/