…

A further 10 – 20% of grassland and forestland is projected to be converted to cultivated uses by 2050.

Demand for food crops is projected to grow by 70 – 85% by 2050.

Asia is the “continent of the current century” According to FAO (2003), there are about 800 million

people in the developing world who suffer from hunger.

Most of this (60%) is in Asia with South Asia accounting for about 36%.

Asian food production is mostly done by the smallholders-80%.

Source: U.N Report,2014

….

Source: FAO, 2013

…….

Agriculture Forestry

Agroforestry

Animals Pastures

Agroforestry – An old practice, but a new science.

A Specialized way of farming crops and trees in various combinations on the landscape.

Here, do this!

Use forestry!

Here, do this!

Use agriculture!

ICRAF in 1996 defines Agroforestry as a dynamic , ecologically based

natural resource management system that, through the integration of

trees on farms and in the agricultural landscape , diversifies and sustains

production for increased social, economic and environmental benefits for

land-users at all levels.

In Agroforestry systems, trees or shrubs and their products are

intentionally used within agricultural systems, livestock, or forests.

Agroforestry means putting the right plant, in the right place, for the right

purpose.

Agroforestry provides:

• Clean water and air

• Safe and healthy food

• Abundant wildlife

• Beautiful places

• Clean renewable energy

• Sustainable family farms and ranches

Now let’s see what agroforestry practices can do for a farm or ranch.

With simple but well-placed applications, we can go from a horizontal

production farm to a multi-layered, vertical farm and open up a multitude of

opportunities for additional farm and ranch income, environmental services,

and while at the same time providing long term sustainability.

“ The future of India lies in its villages”

Rural areas are facing major challenges today which arise mainly from globalisation, demographic change and the rural migration of young, well-trained people.

A livelihood comprises the capabilities, assets, and activities

required for a means of living.

It is said to be sustainable when it can cope with and

recover from stresses and shocks and maintain or enhance

capabilities, assets, and activities, both now and in the

future, without undermining the natural resource base.

Five key elements of Livelihood are:

Creation of working days.

Poverty reduction.

Well-being and capabilities.

Livelihood adaptation, vulnerability and resilience.

Natural resource base sustainability.

Problem-1

Global Warming

Problem-3

Degraded Land in tropical

countries like India

Additional income in the form of

carbon revenues leading to

Improved Livelihoods

Land Based Project Activities

such as Agro/Farm forestry

activities

Problem-2

Poor Incomes in

Agriculture /Rural sectors

Inability

to adapt Inability

to Invest

Low

Income

Market based mechanisms

Such as Voluntary Markets

Source: Dhyani et al, 2014

Would benefit the local small and marginal farmers in

getting higher rate of financial return from their lands.

Will generate productive self employment to small farmers

and their family members.

Will bring the degraded farm lands into appropriate land

use by adopting best agro-forestry practices.

Will help in soil conservation and will check soil erosion.

Sequestering atmospheric carbon and conserve soil

carbon.

Carbon loss from the soil would be arrested and will improve the productivity of the land.

Local paper industry would be able to meet their wood requirements and their dependence on natural forests would be reduced.

The capacity of the small and marginal farmers is enhanced through training.

Improve the health and nutrition of the peoples by providing diverse, nutrient rich farm produce.

Multiple outputs without the risk of total failure.

Reduced dependence on natural forests will help in conservation of biodiversity.

Trees can provide a range of benefits in agricultural systems:

Fruit trees for nutrition and medicinal trees to combat disease.

Fodder trees that improve smallholder livestock production.

Timber and fuelwood trees for shelter and energy.

Plantings of single or multiple rows of trees or shrubs that redirect

or modify the wind and are established for one or more

environmental purposes.

A windbreak’s major function is to mitigate wind speed.

Species: Eucalyptus

Cassia, Prosopis, Leucaena,

Casuarina, Acacia, Dalbergia

Reduce energy costs

Screen unsightly areas

Reduce erosion and pesticide drift

Protect plants

Manage snow

Improve irrigation use

Increase crop yields

Shelter livestock

Mitigate odors and dust

Provide wildlife habitat

Enhance aesthetics

Growing an annual or perennial crop simultaneously in the alley ways

between rows of a long term tree crop. The agricultural crop generates

annual income while the longer-term tree crop matures.

Alley cropping systems provide a way to lower risk by diversifying

production.

Diversify farm enterprise

Reduce erosion

Improve water quality

Protect crops

Improve utilization of nutrients

Enhance wildlife habitat

Improve aesthetics

Store carbon

Combines timber, livestock and forage production on the same

acreage. Trees provide longer-term returns, while livestock

generate an annual income.

Type:

Protein bank

Living Fence of Fodder Trees and Hedges

Trees and Shrubs on Pastures

Improved plant vigor

Lower animal stress

Reduced wildfire risk

Improved wildlife habitat

Annual income (e.g. grazing, hay,

pine straw, hunting)

Long-term income (timber)

The intentional manipulation, integration, and intensive management of

woodlands under a managed forest canopy to produce non-timber

products.

Shade tolerant crops like mushrooms, and decorative ferns are being grown

and sold for medicinal, culinary, or ornamental uses. Other specialty crops

include coffee.

Improve economic value of existing forests

Diversify income

Increase cash flow

Medicine

Handicrafts

Decoratives

Food Products

This is a type of agroforestry practice where many

species of trees, bushes, vegetables and other

herbaceous plants are grown in dense and random

arrangements.

Most home gardens also support a variety of animals

(cow, buffalo, bullock, goat, pigs, sheep) and birds

(chicken, duck).

Fuelwood

Building materials

Fruit

Vegetables

Cash crops

Spices

Medicinal plants

Ornamentals

.....

Java, it was found that homegardens provided 15-20% of the total fuelwood requirements of the local households.

Javanese homegardens provided more than 40% of the whole energy requirement of the local farming communities

Source: Nair (1979).

This is a type of agroforestry practice where energy

plants(fuel wood) are grown with agricultural crops for

fulfilling the energy (fuel) need.

Benefits:

Reduce on farm energy costs

Reduce reliance on fossil fuels

Income source

Improve soil health

In this system various trees and shrubs preferred by fish are

planted on the boundary and around fish-ponds. Tree leaves are

used as forage for fish.

Benefits:

Fish production.

Bund stabilization

around fish ponds.

Reducing evaporation.

Augmenting microclimate.

Grass fallow

Improved fallow

Improved yields

woodland

continuous cropping

Clearing

Agroforestry interventions

Fertilizer trees

Fruit tree systems

Fodder tree systems

Woodlots

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Fallow

intercropping (2-3 tons)

Improved Fallow (3-4 tons) Gliricidia/maize

intercropping (3-5 tons)

Waiting Period before benefit

1 year 2 years 3 years

Source: World Agroforestry Center, 2009

SMALL HOLDER SYSTEM WITH COCONUT

Growth phases-

A. Early phase, up to about 8 years:

B. Middle phase, about 8-25 years:

C. Later phase, after about 25 years:

Source: Nair (1979).

Benefit

The net annual income on a one-hectare plot would be 50 % greater than that of a sole crop stand of coconut.

Elephant foot yam (local variety)-13.46 t/ha.

Cassava (hybrid H. 165)-14.82 t/ha.

Ginger-8.61 t/ha.

Tumeric-10.94 t/ha.

Hybrid Napier grass and Guinea grass- 50 to 60 t/ha.

Fodder legumes stylo and cowpea- 30 t/ha.

A farmer can rear four milk cows from one hectare of coconut land.

Source: CPCRI (1979) , Nair (1979).

The Haryana Forest Department introduced eucalyptus based agroforestry models in the 1970s .

After 2-3 year even the small and marginal farmers

have recognized agroforestry as a profitable venture.

Today, the daily Production of wood

(grown in agroforests) is worth US $ 300,000.

After value addition in the form of plywood production, becomes worth US $ 1.2 million.

Further, a increase in tree cover from 3.5% to 8% of geographical area is achieved.

Source: P. P. Bhojvaid, 2006

P.deltoides clones based Agroforestry was started in Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh during 1984 to 1995.

The spacing followed was 5 m x 4 m accommodating 500 trees per hectare.

Cost of cultivation was around Rs. 0.1 million.

Income was around 0.8 million.

Agricultural income increased

to 10%.

Source: World Congress on Agroforestry, 2014

Indigenous fruit contribute about 42% of the natural food basket in Southern Africa.

Indigenous fruits contributes 5.5 to 6.5% of the total household income in the rural communities.

Honey is also an important food supplement to the rural communities.

Species: Isoberlinia angolensis

Source: World Agroforestry center, 2010

More than 80% of the rural communities in sub-Saharan Africa depend on medicinal plants for most of their health needs and also for income generation.

Medicinal plants exported -5000-10000 tonnes/year.

Consumed locally- 50,000-100,000 tonnes/year.

Species: Albizia antunesiana

Source: World Agroforestry center, 2010

Income sources Average income/HH Income% Total income%

Fodder seed/slip sold 330.36* 2.36 1.43

Crop 2721.52 19.46 11.75

Livestock/milk 4027.38 28.79 17.39

Vegetable/fruit 6909.43 49.39 29.83

Sub total 13988.69 100.00 60.39

Farm income

Income sources Average income/HH Income% Total income%

Business/trade 714.29 7.79 3.08

Wage/labour 1845.24 20.11 7.97

Service/teaching 6614.29 72.10 28.56

Subtotal 9173.81 100.00 39.61

Total 23162.50

Off-farm income *NR330.36=US dollar 5.64

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Tree based systems provides several products

and meets diversified needs of communities

Product Contribution in percentage

Fuelwood 50

Green fodder 10

Small timber 66

Pulpwood 60

Plywood 70-80

Source of Medicines for tribal systems

(Dhyani et al., 2013)

Traditional agroforestry systems in semi arid regions

Location Prevalent Systems Preferred tree species

Hisar Scattered trees in the

farming systems

Prosopis cineraria, Acacia nilotica, Ailanthes excelsa

Zyzyphus, Psidium and Mangifera

Rahuri Silvipasture Acacia sps., Leucaena, A. indica, Prosopis

Mangifera, Punica granatum

Jhansi Agrisilviculture,

Agrihorticulture,

Silvipasture

A.indica, Albizia lebbeck, Madhuka latifolia,

Zyzyphus mauritiana, Emblica officinalis

Parbhani Silvipasture,

Agrisilviculture, Bund

plantation

Acacia nilotica, Azadirachta indica, Tectona grandis

Zyzyphus mauritiana, Annona squamosa, Mangifera

indica

Nagpur Agrisilviculture

Trees on farm bunds

Acacia nilotica, Leucaena, Eucalyptus, Leucaena,

Mangifera indica, Citrus sps., Psidium

Hyderabad Agrihorticulture Acacia sp., Leucaena, Tectona

Mangifera indica, Annona squamosa, Tamarindus

(Pathak et al, 2000)

Agroforestry systems recommended for various Hill regions

Location Recommended AF systems

Hisar (Trans

gangetic plain zone)

Eucalyptus hybrid + Maize; Poplar+ Gram/wheat

Mango + maize; Emblica Officinalis + groundnut

Central plateau and

hills region

Azadirachta indica + groundnut, Acacia nilotica

+Sorghum/gram, Citrus + gram; Pomegranate +lentil,

Emblica+ redgram

Western plateau

and hills region

Acacia+ sorghum; Azadirachta + groundnut; Dalbergia +

gram;

Zizyphus + groundnut; Anona + sorghum; Emblica +

pigeonpea; Pomegranate + lentil/mustard

Southern plateau

and hills region

Tamarindus + chilli/tomato/curry leaf; Ailanthes +

cowpea/sesamum/sorghum/Pearlmillet

Albizia lebbeck + cowpea/sesamum/sorghum

Gujarat plains and

hills region

Azadirachta + groundnut; Acacia nilotica + cotton

Zizyphus mauritiana + groundnut; Emblica officinalis +

cotton; Punica granatum + pulses

Source: Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture, Hyderabad,2014

Amla + green gram

Agri-horti systems are profitable and provide stable income

Mango based agri-horti systems provide net

returns up to Rs. 46,250 with a benefit cost

ratio up to 6.3:1 by 10 nth year

Aonla based systems can provide net returns

to the tune of Rs.64632 with a benefit cost

ratio of 6.2:1 by 6 th year

Intercropping in horticulture systems

enhances the income substantially

particulalrly during the early years

Source: Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture, Hyderabad,2014

Significant scope for yield improvement exists in horti

systems by adopting various practices

Crop Management practices Improvement

in fruit yields

References

Mango RDF + vermicompost + Azotobacter + PSB

+ Zn + Fe + paclobutrazol

66% Yadav et al.(2011)

Mango Drip irrigation at 75% pan evaporation

replenishment.

65% Kumar et al.(2008)

Guava Removal of 33% of current season’s shoot growth

99% Prakash et al.

(2012)

Aonla FYM + NPK 86 % Singh et al.(2012)

Aonla Foliar application of 2% calcium nitrate +

2% urea

44 % Bisen et al

(2011)

Pome

granate

Application of Nitrogen and Potassium @

500g/plant

53 % Kashyap et al.

(2012)

Ber RDF + vermicompost + and foliar spray of

thiourea @ 0.5%

64 % Mishra et al.

(2011)

Ber Foliar spray of 0.3-0.6% borax and 0.2-

0.4% zinc sulphate

68 % Kumar and

Shukla (2010)

Wadi system in tribal regions

Wadi is a small orchard of one

or two acres with crops.

About 80,000 ha is under wadi

system and the area is

expanding.

Staggered income over long

term though plantation of forest

species on the boundaries.

Support for processing and

marketing of farm produce.

Forestry on the boundary of wadi

Established mango in wadi

Source: Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture, Hyderabad,2014

Slope:<15%: Bunding Slope: >15%: Tree Platforms

Successful tree establishment

Emphasis should be to enhance the survival of tree

systems in rainfed systems

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Teak (Tectona grandis) on bunds

Large number of farmers have planted teak ( Tectona grandis)

on field boundaries

In Andhra Pradesh alone about 5 crores of saplings were

planted during 2012-13

How can we increase income of the rural people

Enhancing productivity/ adding value to the tree based products.

Quality planting material plays an important role for productivity and

returns (eg: Mango).

Greater access to micro irrigation systems can play a key role for

enhancing the productivity.

Removal of restrictions on harvest and transport of farm grown wood

( eg: Teak and Bamboo).

Providing minimum support price to wood.

Providing institutional finance for pulpwood systems

Some of the agroforestry systems are highly profitable resulting in

large scale adoption.

There is further scope for enhancing the productivity by adoption

of recommended management practices.

The impact of tree systems can be further enhanced by scaling up

by linking with area based developmental programs.

Stable markets for trees/ tree products and removal of

restrictions on harvest and transport of farm grown wood is key for

the success of tree systems in the long run.

Policy makers need to draw their attention to understand first

households’ need and knowledge and their strategies in the

development of agroforestry policies for the sustenance of rural

livelihood.