Agroforestry in India ; A stable solution for farm income and the environment

Agroforestry is a system of combining forestry and agriculture on a single piece of farmland. It is a traditional method of identifying and promoting trees and/or livestock on farms in a particular arrangement pattern. Instead of emphasizing individual elements, the agroforestry system emphasizes how various components in nature interact and depend on one another. Agroforestry is a feasible option for the social, economic, and environmental sustainability of small and marginal farmers

The three primary components of agroforestry are farm animals, trees, and crops. Depending on their type, components are divided into three categories:

• agro-silviculture (crops + trees)
• Silvi-pasture (pasture/livestock + trees)
• agro-silvipasture (crops + grassland + trees)

Key characteristics of agroforestry systems:

Agroforestry systems have three characteristics:

Productivity—Production of preferred commodities and increased productivity of land resources

Sustainability—Preservation of the production capacity of the resource base

Acceptability—Acceptance of the prescribed practice by users or in line with existing regional practices

Is it possible for the nation to accept a single agroforestry model?

A ‘one-model-fits-all’ approach to agroforestry does not work because of the diverse biophysical and socio-archaeological conditions of the country. Different agro-ecological zones require different combinations of trees and crops depending on factors such as climate, soil type, slope, and water availability.

 Agroforestry System vs. Traditional Farming:

 Government of India initiatives to promote agroforestry;

Agroforestry research has been encouraged in India since the 1970s. The National Agroforestry Policy (NAP), created and enacted by India, was the first of its kind..The Department of Agriculture, Cooperation, and Farmers Welfare established a Sub-Mission on Agroforestry (SMAF) in 2016 as part of the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA).The objective of the sub-mission was to expand the coverage of trees on agricultural land as a supplement to agricultural crops.

To achieve this, the sub-mission had five broad components:

• Nursery Development for Quality Planting Material (NDQPM)
• Peripheral and Border Planting (PBP),
• Low-Density Planting on Agricultural Land (LDPFL)
• High-Density Block Planting (HDPB)
• Demonstration of Agroforestry

Models and Capacity Building, and Training

To help farmers generate extra revenue and strengthen their agricultural system’s resilience to climate change, the “Har Med Par Vriksha” project was introduced in 2016–17 to promote the planting of trees alongside crops and cropping systems on agricultural land.

Objectives of the National Agroforestry Policy, 2014:

• Establishment of a National Agroforestry Mission or an Agroforestry Board to implement the national policy by bringing coordination, convergence, and synergy among various elements of agroforestry scattered across various existing missions, programs, schemes, and agencies relating to agriculture, environment, forestry, and rural development sectors of the government.
• Improve productivity and employment, income, and livelihood opportunities for rural households, particularly small farmers, through agroforestry.
• Meet the ever-increasing demand for timber, food, fuel, fodder, fertilizer, fibre and other agroforestry products; conserve natural resources and forests; protect the environment and provide environmental security; and increase the availability of these outside natural forests to improve forest/tree cover.

Agroforestry blends ecological wisdom with practical farming.

Some successful agroforestry practices from around the world that have proven both sustainable and profitable

Alley Cropping: It is the system of agroforestry to plant rows of trees with crops grown in between.  Trees improve soil structure and fertility, while crops benefit from reduced wind and sun stress. eg.  wheat, mustard, turmeric, ginger, garlic crop raised with popular plantation

Silvopasture: An agroforestry technique called silvopasture combines trees, fodder, and livestock on a single farm while maintaining the system to safeguard the environment. In this agroforestry system, the trees provide shade and shelter, improving animal welfare and pasture productivity. eg.  In farmers combine Leucaena leucocephala trees with grazing goats and cattle.

Windbreaks and Shelterbelts: Linear tree and shrub plantings intended to slow down wind and shield regions from wind damage are known as windbreaks and shelterbelts. Windbreaks can have one or two rows, while shelterbelts are usually broader and can have several rows. Both can enhance microclimates, safeguard crops and cattle, and minimize wind erosion. Trees are planted in rows to shield crops from wind damage. It increases crop yields, preserves moisture, and reduces soil erosion. For instance, it is widely utilized in Rajasthan and other regions  of the country

Forest Farming:  Growing shade-tolerant crops under a forest canopy. It entails purposeful forest habitat management to encourage the growth of particular plants, frequently those that do best in shady areas. This approach can increase landowners’ financial and environmental gains. Utilizes underused forest space for high-value crops like mushrooms, spices, or medicinal herbs. eg: In the state of Kerala, black pepper and cardamom are cultivated under tree cover.

Home gardens in agroforestry:  Small-scale, multi-layered systems near homes with trees, vegetables, and sometimes animals. They are a multi-story system that enhances soil health and land productivity while providing a variety of food and revenue sources. eg: Common in Kerala and northeastern India, with coconut, banana, papaya, and vegetables grown together

Integrated Tree-Crop Systems:  Seasonal crops are produced alongside trees like teak, neem, or moringa. Crops yield short-term returns, whereas trees yield long-term revenue. By strengthening ecological and economic interactions among the various elements, this strategy seeks to improve agricultural systems’ productivity, profitability, diversity, and sustainability. For example, teak is interplanted with maize or soybeans in Madhya Pradesh.

 Successful Agroforestry Projects in India:

• Poplar-Based Agroforestry in Punjab & Haryana: Farmers grow Populus deltoides (poplar) alongside wheat, sugarcane, and vegetables. This system has significantly increased income due to the high demand for poplar wood in plywood industries.
• Aonla (Indian Gooseberry) + Crops in Uttar Pradesh: Integrating Emblica officinalis with crops like turmeric and pulses has improved soil fertility and provided year-round income for smallholders.
• Silvipasture in semi-arid Rajasthan, combining Prosopis cineraria (Khejri) trees with grasses and livestock grazing, has restored degraded lands and improved fodder availability.
• Teak-Based Systems in Central India In Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, farmers grow teak with seasonal crops like maize and soybean. This long-term investment yields high returns from timber while supporting food crops.

Benefits and Challenges of Agroforestry: