Prospects and challenges in adoption of agroforestry systems for improved livelihoods of rainfed farmers

Abstract

Agroforestry, the integration of woody perennials with farming systems, has been practiced in India since time immemorial as a tradition land use system because it offers both economically and ecologically viable option to farmers and rural people community for large-scale diversification in agriculture to get supplement fuel, fodder, fruits and fibers on one hand and environment amelioration on the other hand. Despite Agroforestry’s huge potential in India, the adoption rates are still low because there are several challenges that reap the benefits of agroforestry like shortage of superior planting material, insufficient research, lack of market infrastructure, cumbersome and frustrating legislation in respect of tree felling, wood transportation, processing. The adoption of National Agroforestry policy by the government of India in 2014 expected to remove these challenges as well as increases the farm productivity and the livelihood of the small and marginal farmers substantially in the future.