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Agroforestry: A Sustainable Approach

Abhishek Raj1*, Manoj Kumar Jhariya2, Arnab Banerjee3, Ramesh Kumar Jha1 and Krishan Pal Singh4

1Pt. Deendayal Upadhyay College of Horticulture and Forestry, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Samastipur, Bihar, India

2Department of Farm Forestry, Sant Gahira Guru Vishwavidyalaya, Sarguja, Ambikapur, Chhattisgarh, India

3Department of Environmental Science, Sant Gahira Guru Vishwavidyalaya, Sarguja, Ambikapur, Chhattisgarh, India

4K.D. College of Horticulture and Research Station, MGUHF, Bastar, India

Abstract

Agroforestry is a suitable land-use farming practice that covers 1.6 billion ha (78% in the tropics and 22% in the temperate regions), which enhance biodiversity, land productiveness, and people’s livelihood and maintains eco-restoration with global sustainability. It is characterized by intentional tree integration into agricultural systems and presents multifaceted advantages. Agroforestry system improves soil fertility, acts as windbreaks, and reduces greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by sequestering atmospheric CO2. It delivers various ecological services and restoring the ability of the ecosystem to tackle various global environmental challenges like GHG emissions, soil erosion air and water pollution, soil fertility decline, floods, and extreme temperatures as well as food insecurity. Further, the prospects of carbon trading in agroforestry lies in its dual role of enhancing climate resilience and generating additional revenue for farmers. Climate-resilient agroforestry technology has tremendous potential to improve productivity, enhance resilience, and reduce GHG emissions in managing ecological balance, economic viability, and social well-being. A constructive policy is needed for promoting agroforestry practices and its diversified models in various ecological regions, which helps in maintaining soil, food, and climate security with strengthening farmer’s livelihood and sustainability.

Keywords: Agroforestry system, climate change mitigation, carbon credit, ecosystem services, greenhouse gases, soil fertility, food security

1.1 Introduction

Agroforestry refers to a land-use approach that integrates (either alternately or simultaneously) trees with livestock or seasonal crops within or outside forest areas through temporal and spatial patterns [1, 2]. It performs various social, economic, and ecological services [3]. This practice transforms agricultural land into more productive agro-ecological land-use system that helps in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) [4]. In an agroforestry system, woody perennials are purposefully planted alongside crops and/or animals in a specific temporal or spatial arrangement [5]. It is a traditional land-use system proficient in meeting a broad range of socioeconomic needs sustainably at a variety of agroecological conditions [6]. Leguminous species that are used in agroforestry help in improving the soil nitrogen content and the overall nutrient cycling [7]. The fast-growing tree, Populus deltoides, is commonly planted alongside other crops like wheat and sugarcane at wide spacings on boundaries, within plots, and in woodlots in the alluvial plains of North India. It yields great returns for farmers during a short rotational period of less than 10 years while also providing softwood for the pulp and plywood industries [6]. The prioritization of agroforestry innovations on degraded lands is a strategic endeavor aimed at fostering environmental sustainability, propelling the advancement of food and fodder security, and ultimately attaining the esteemed United Nations’ SDGs. Agroforestry, as an age-old land utilization system, holds the potential to effectively address a multitude of contemporary and forthcoming environmental predicaments. Agroforestry has the potential to assume a significant role in augmenting productivity, fostering sustainability, and conserving resources. Agroforestry is well-known for its ecosystem services potential including carbon sequestration, soil erosion control, improvement of soil productivity, and water cycling, together with boosting agricultural productivity. Potential services offered by agroforestry aim to provide sustainable productivity, increase water quality, improve food security, reduce biodiversity loss, combat climate change, and alleviate poverty, to achieve SDGs by 2030 [8, 9]. The adoption of agroforestry practices is increasingly gaining global popularity as it is being advocated as a tool for combating environmental challenges. Practicing an appropriate agroforestry system will not only reduce the deforestation problem but also offer financial support. Such integration patterns of trees and crops will solve the major issues of food insecurity, fuel wood demand, clean water, and soil nutrient decline. Aji et al. [10] acknowledged the role that forest trees play in producing raw materials, employment, good healthcare, income, and food, among other benefits. The benefits of agroforestry are growing, including the restoration of degraded environments, reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and other co-benefits [11].

This chapter discusses about agroforestry system and practices with area coverage in global perspectives. Tree crop system in agroforestry and related multifarious ecosystem services are also included. Carbon credit and its monetization along with climate change mitigation through agroforestry system are incorporated in the chapter. Agroforestry modeling and its assessment along economics and livelihood resilience in agroforestry are also discussed rigorously. The challenges and constraint of agroforestry promotions and its solutions through adopting constructive policy and related roadmap are discussed in the last part of the chapter.

1.2 Agroforestry in the World

Agroforestry systems are very adaptable agroecosystem that may be recognized in nearly any region of the world. The percentage of farmland with at least 10% tree cover was determined to be 10.1 million km2 or 46% of all agricultural land worldwide [12]. In addition, agroforestry covers around half of the land area in the Caribbean, Asia, and South and Central America. Dhyani and Handa [13] reported that the estimated extent of agroforestry practices in India found to be 25.31 m ha, which accounts for 8.2% of the country’s recorded geographical extent. Recent estimates from Arunachalam et al. [14] reveal that agroforestry covers a total area of 28.427 million ha across all 15 agro-climatic zones in India. This accounts for around 8.65% of the nation’s land area, which amounts to 328.747 million ha. Furthermore, almost 79.2% of the nation’s whole landmass is classified as highly or somewhat appropriate for the adoption of agroforestry [15].

Agroforestry ensures permanent vegetation cover by “perennialization” of agriculture which protect ecosystem and its sustainability. Paddy with MPTs (multipurpose trees) in Chhattisgarh state is well-known example of agroforestry system [16]. Similarly, West Africa–based Parkland system and Germany-based Streuobst (traditional orchard meadows) are recognized agroforestry system in the world [17]. “Cinderella systems” is also famous agroforestry model and sustainable land-use system that was rediscovered recently [18]. Homegarden is a traditional agroforestry system practiced almost throughout India as it supplies most of the household requirements. In addition to providing food and a source of income for the owner, a home garden can also maintain the hydrological cycle, reduce water scarcity, conserve soil, make desirable-quality water available, and naturally disperse the seeds of beneficial species [19]. Home gardens in Sri Lanka, which are smallholder agroforestry system, play a pivotal role in the overall national crop and timber production. These home gardens are characterized by their practice of cultivating a variety of trees and crops in multiple layers, typically located in close proximity to the family dwelling [20]. Alder-based agriculture is a popular type of agroforestry system prevailing in India in addition to tea plantations, paan jhum, and woodlots [21]. The unique physiography and climatic conditions prefer various traditional agroecosystems including the trees on farmlands for forage, fuelwood, vegetables, and other household utilities in addition to settled agriculture (e.g., paddy cultivation) and hill ecosystems like jhum and taungya cultivation that is generally performed by many tribal communities in Northeast India [22]. In Northeast India, betel leaf farming is a customary agroforestry technique that involves deliberately planting betel vines alongside other tree species on the same piece of land as it is associated with their societies and cultures. Similarly, Bamboo-centric agroforestry systems have been seamlessly incorporated within various agricultural landscapes, including farmlands, homesteads, degraded lands, and riparian filters of the tropical world. At present, the implementation of agroforestry innovations is widely acknowledged and advocated for as a viable means to foster sustainability, guarantee food security, and effectively attain the United Nations’ SDGs [23]. Through the augmentation of livelihood security, the amelioration of quality of life, the preservation of ecosystems, and the promotion of economic growth, the implementation of agroforestry systems centered around...