- Lack of quality planting material and technical guidance for farmers.
- Inadequate research and extension support for agroforestry systems.
- Poor market infrastructure and value chain development for agroforestry products.
- Restrictive policies and regulations that hinder the production, transport, and trade of agroforestry products.
- Low awareness and acceptance of agroforestry among stakeholders and consumers.
The scope of agroforestry in India is immense, given the country's diverse agro-climatic zones, land use patterns, and socio-cultural contexts. Agroforestry can be practiced in various forms, such as:
- Trees on cropland, where trees are grown along with annual or perennial crops in different spatial or temporal arrangements.
- Trees on pastureland, where trees are grown to provide fodder, shade, and shelter for livestock.
- Trees on wasteland, where trees are grown to reclaim degraded or marginal lands and provide environmental services.
- Trees on homesteads, where trees are grown around houses or farm buildings to provide multiple benefits for the household.
The status of agroforestry in India is improving, especially after the adoption of the National Agroforestry Policy in 2014, which is the first of its kind in the world. The policy aims to promote agroforestry as a mainstream agricultural practice by addressing the key challenges and creating an enabling environment for its development. Some of the initiatives taken under the policy are:
- Establishing a National Agroforestry Board to coordinate and oversee the implementation of the policy.
- Developing a National Agroforestry Mission to provide financial and technical support for agroforestry activities.
- Revising the existing laws and regulations to facilitate the production and movement of agroforestry products.
- Strengthening the research and extension system to generate and disseminate agroforestry knowledge and technologies.
- Enhancing the market linkages and value addition for agroforestry products.
- Creating awareness and capacity building among farmers and other stakeholders on agroforestry.
The opportunity for agroforestry in India is enormous, considering the growing demand for wood and non-wood forest products, both domestically and internationally. Agroforestry can help meet this demand by increasing the supply of quality raw material from farm lands, while reducing the pressure on natural forests. Agroforestry can also contribute to achieving various national and global goals related to sustainable development, such as:
- Doubling farmers' income by 2022, as envisioned by the Prime Minister of India.
- Enhancing the tree cover from 24.56% to 33%, as mandated by the National Forest Policy of India.
- Mitigating greenhouse gas emissions by 33-35% ,from 2005 levels by 2030, as pledged by India under the Paris Agreement on climate change.
- Restoring 26 million hectares of degraded land by 2030, as committed by India under the Bonn Challenge on forest landscape restoration.
The threats for agroforestry in India are mainly related to the uncertainties and risks associated with climate change, market fluctuations, pests and diseases, and socio-economic factors. Some of the possible threats are:
- Increased frequency and intensity of droughts, floods, storms, heat waves, and other extreme weather events that may affect the growth and survival of trees and crops.
- Reduced availability and quality of water resources that may limit the irrigation potential for agroforestry systems.
- Increased competition and conflict over land resources that may reduce the scope for expanding agroforestry areas.
- Reduced profitability and viability of agroforestry systems due to volatile prices, low demand, high transaction costs, or unfair trade practices for agroforestry products.
- Reduced adoption and acceptance of agroforestry systems due to lack of awareness, knowledge, skills, or incentives among farmers and other stakeholders.
To conclude, agroforestry is a promising option for enhancing the productivity, profitability, diversity, and sustainability of agriculture in India. However, it also faces several challenges that need to be addressed through appropriate policies, programs, researches, innovations, partnerships, and participations. Agroforestry has the potential to transform India's green economy by providing multiple benefits for people and planet..
Source:
(1) What is Agroforestry Potential in India? CEEW Research. https://www.ceew.in/publications/sustainable-agriculture-india/agroforestry.
(2) Agroforestry: Shaping India’s Green Economy - Hosachiguru Blog. https://www.hosachiguru.com/blog/agroforestry-shaping-indias-green-economy/.
(3) How the agroforestry industry’s empowerment can have significant long .... https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/voices/how-the-agroforestry-industrys-empowerment-can-have-significant-long-term-benefits-in-economic-advantages/.
(4) Agroforestry: Significance and Challenges - ClearIAS. https://www.clearias.com/agroforestry/.
(5) P-ISSN: Agroforestry systems: Opportunities and challenges in JPP 2017 .... https://www.phytojournal.com/archives/2017/vol6issue6S/PartV/SP-6-6-241.pdf.
(6) P-ISSN: Agroforestry systems: Opportunities and challenges in JPP 2017 .... https://bing.com/search?q=agroforestry+challenges+and+opportunities+in+India.
(7) Agroforestry systems: Opportunities and challenges in India. https://www.academia.edu/38947922/Agroforestry_systems_Opportunities_and_challenges_in_India.
(8) Agroforestry systems: Opportunities and challenges in India. https://www.academia.edu/78630609/Agroforestry_systems_Opportunities_and_challenges_in_India.
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