Agri-horti-silvi system: A successful crop production practice in arid region

Abstract

Livelihood improvement is not just about the positive change towards better quality of life and human wellbeing, but it takes into account the local and global change which determines the livelihood. The adverse impact of climate change may be more severely felt by the poor, who are more vulnerable than the rich. Appropriate policy responses combining agroecosystems as key assets can strengthen adaptation and help build the resilience of communities and households to local and globalchange. Steps to promote the mainstreaming of adaptation into livelihood improvement may potentially deliver better results when combined with adaptive management of natural resources and agro ecosystems. There is a need for intensified conservation efforts as well as growing products and generating services in agroecosystems. Arid zones are known to be fragile ecosystems and interference without knowing the ecological linkages within these systems can result in their degradation, which is often irreversible. Agroforestry as traditionally followed in these regions is a complete, ecologically sustainable livelihood system. To meet both present and future demands, policies need to be supportive of the development of these traditional agroforestry systems based on synergism with nature. There is also a potential to utilize arid zone agroforestry to solve global problems like desertification, global warming (through increased carbon sequestration), and biodiversity conservation. Tree-growing in combination with agricultural crops, including individual farms, watersheds and regional landscape can be integrated to take advantage of the services provided by adjacent natural, semi-natural or restored ecosystems. Increasing the livelihood security and reducing the vulnerability call for societal adaptation. Such adaptations are possible when combined with traditional resource management systems. Agri-horti-silvi system as a local adaptation, therefore, is a promising area of interest. Agri-horti- silvi system will be multifarious utility to the farmers because it not only provides fuel wood, timber, fruits and crop produce but also helps to enrich the soil health