Syllabus
GS Paper 3 – Major Crops – Cropping Patterns in various parts of the country, – Different Types of Irrigation and Irrigation Systems
Context
The widespread implementation of agroforestry in India by small-scale farmers is currently hindered by both ecological and socio-economic challenges.
Agroforestry and Small-scale farmers
Introduction
Agroforestry, also known as ‘social forestry’, is a unique approach to agriculture that combines the cultivation of trees and shrubs with crops and livestock. This method aims to create a more ecologically diverse and socially productive output from the land than traditional farming methods allow. It involves the strategic use of land, including waste patches, to grow trees and crops either separately or in close association. Agroforestry aligns with the cultural practices of local populations and offers numerous benefits. It fosters positive interactions between different components of the agricultural system, making it a sustainable choice for farming.
Benefits of agroforestry
- Sustainable Land Management: Agroforestry serves as a practical and cost-effective method for implementing various forms of integrated land management, aiming to minimize the human impact on the land. It plays a significant role in promoting a green economy.
- Promotion of Sustainability: Agroforestry encourages long-term, sustainable, and renewable forest management, particularly beneficial for small-scale producers.
- Versatility of Agroforestry: Agroforestry can be applied to diverse landscapes such as fields, farms, and watersheds across different ecosystems and cultures.
- Improvement of Livelihoods: Agroforestry has the potential to enhance livelihoods through improved health and nutrition, economic growth, and strengthened environmental resilience and ecosystem sustainability.
- Environmental Benefits: Agroforestry systems contribute to long-term carbon sequestration, soil enrichment, soil moisture conservation, biodiversity conservation, and improvements in air and water quality. They also protect arable land from wind and water erosion.
- Optimization of Interactions: One of the key benefits of agroforestry stems from the interactions between trees and shrubs and crops and livestock. It optimizes positive interactions, such as mutualism and commensalism, reducing stress on plants and animals, enhancing yields, retaining soil, and capturing water.
- Minimization of Predation and Competition: Agroforestry minimizes predation on crops and livestock and competition within and between species. For instance, the moist shaded microclimate under certain crop trees is beneficial for shade-tolerant crops such as turmeric or pineapple.
- Maximization of Land Use: Agroforestry enables farmers to obtain food, fodder, fuel, fruit, and timber from their land, making the land more productive and providing employment to rural communities.
Challenges with agroforestry in India
- Land Use Policies: In India, the preference for either agriculture or forestry in land use policies often poses a challenge for farmers looking to adopt agroforestry practices. The absence of clear policies and incentives for agroforestry impedes its broad adoption.
- Land Tenure and Ownership: Uncertain land tenure and ownership can deter farmers from investing in long-term agroforestry practices. Many smallholder farmers may lack secure land rights, complicating their ability to invest in tree crops that require years to mature.
- Access to Finance and Credit: Limited access to finance and credit for agroforestry projects is a significant barrier for farmers, particularly smallholders. Banks and financial institutions may be reluctant to provide loans for agroforestry due to perceived risks and uncertainties associated with tree crops.
- Market Access and Value Chains: The development of market linkages and value chains for tree products can be challenging. Farmers may struggle to find reliable buyers for their tree products or may face price volatility in markets for timber, fruits, nuts, and other tree-based products.
- Knowledge and Extension Services: There is a lack of awareness and technical knowledge about agroforestry practices among farmers and extension workers. Training and capacity-building programs are needed to educate farmers about the benefits of agroforestry and equip them with the necessary skills and information to effectively implement and manage agroforestry systems.
- Climate Change and Environmental Degradation: Climate change impacts, such as erratic rainfall patterns, extreme weather events, and rising temperatures, can affect the productivity and resilience of agroforestry systems. Environmental degradation, including deforestation, soil erosion, and habitat loss, can also undermine the sustainability of agroforestry practices.
- Pests and Diseases: Tree crops in agroforestry systems are susceptible to pests and diseases, which can reduce yields and profitability. Sustainable solutions such as integrated pest management strategies and disease-resistant tree varieties are needed to address these challenges.
- Social and Cultural Factors: Socio-cultural factors, such as traditional farming practices, social norms, and gender roles, can influence the adoption of agroforestry. It’s essential to engage with local communities and address cultural barriers to promote the acceptance and adoption of agroforestry practices.
Agroforestry policy framework in India
- National Agroforestry Policy (NAP): In 2014, India pioneered the adoption of an agroforestry policy – the National Agroforestry Policy (NAP). This policy was designed to boost employment, productivity, and environmental conservation.
- Launch of NAP: In 2016, a program under the NAP was launched with a budget of nearly ₹1,000 crore. The goal was to transform agroforestry into a national effort, encapsulated by the tagline: “Har medh par ped” (trees on every field boundary).
- Promotion in Union Budget: In the 2022-23 Union Budget, the Finance Minister of India announced that the Government of India would promote agroforestry.
- Merger with Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana: However, the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare merged the SMAF with the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana, which deprived the agroforestry sector of its flagship implementation arm.
- Publication of GROW Report: NITI Aayog published the Greening and Restoration of Wasteland with Agroforestry (GROW) Report. The report, prepared using remote sensing and GIS, assesses agroforestry suitability across all Indian districts.
- Bhuvan Portal: GROW mapping is uploaded on the newly developed Bhuvan portal. It allows universal access to state and district-level data.
- Coverage of Agroforestry: Currently, agroforestry covers 8.65% of India’s total geographical area, totalling about 28.42 million hectares.
- GROW Initiative: The GROW initiative aligns with national commitments, aiming to restore 26 million hectares of degraded land by 2030 and create an additional carbon sink equivalent to 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide.
Case Study Scenario
Following the devastation caused by Cyclone Gaja in Pudukkottai district, Tamil Nadu, where coconut trees were destroyed and the soil turned saline, a group of farmers chose to diversify their crops collectively, shifting from coconut to jackfruit and mango cultivation. Six years on, this initiative has not only generated promising profits, but it has also showcased the resilience and adaptability of rural communities when confronted with environmental challenges. This case study underscores the transformative potential of agroforestry in protecting livelihoods and fostering sustainable agricultural practices.
Recommendations and Suggestions to overcome the challenges
- Water Conservation through Agroforestry: One method to combat water scarcity is to cultivate trees that do not compete with crops for water.
- Jaltol – The Water-Accounting Tool: Bengaluru-based WELL Labs has introduced an open-source water-accounting tool named ‘Jaltol’. This tool assesses instances of trade-offs and provides valuable insights.
- Insights from Jaltol: For instance, mango plantations do not compete with kharif crops in the central Karnataka plateau, whereas coconut trees in Tamil Nadu’s uplands demand more water than crops throughout the year.
- Role of Tools in Restoration: Such tools enable restoration practitioners and civil society organisations to select appropriate tree-crop combinations for agroforestry in water-stressed regions.
- Importance of Species Selection: Choosing the right species for the right place and the right reason is crucial for agroforestry to enhance the sustainability of livelihoods.
- Farmers’ Preferences: However, farmers are often drawn to tree species that grow quickly and repel herbivores. These species are generally non-native and pose threats to soil health and human well-being.
- Non-Native Timber Species: For example, casuarina and eucalyptus trees, both non-native timber species, are known to tolerate saline soils and grow quickly with minimal labour inputs. However, these species are primarily grown as large mono-crop block plantations rather than as an intercrop or a tree-crop combination, which would be essential for small landholdings.
- Need for Native Species: Finding native species that meet multiple criteria is challenging but necessary to halt or reverse land degradation while diversifying livelihood opportunities.
- Diversity for Restoration Tool: The Diversity for Restoration tool provides a tailored list of climate-resilient species while aligning with restoration objectives.
- Indian Forest and Wood Certification Scheme 2023: The Indian Forest and Wood Certification Scheme 2023 certifies agroforestry and wood-based products as sustainable and provides an exhaustive list of eligibility criteria for farmers and industries.
Way forward
- Amendment of Legislation: The current state of agroforestry necessitates the amendment of unfavourable legislation and the simplification of regulations related to forestry and agriculture.
- Policy Incorporation: Policymakers should integrate agroforestry into all policies concerning land use and natural resource management. They should also encourage government investments in infrastructure related to agroforestry and in the establishment of sustainable enterprises.
- Development of Technologies: Scientists and researchers can create location-specific tree-based technologies that complement crop and livestock systems for sustainable livelihoods. These technologies should take into account gender concerns and incorporate feedback from local communities.
Conclusion
In conclusion, agroforestry presents a sustainable and resilient agricultural practice for small-scale farmers. It offers a balanced approach to land use, enhancing biodiversity, improving soil health, and providing diverse income streams. However, the successful implementation of agroforestry requires supportive policies, access to finance, and community participation. With these in place, small-scale farmers can harness the full potential of agroforestry, contributing to both their livelihoods and the health of our planet.
Source: The Hindu
Related PYQ
What is Integrated Farming System? How is it helpful to small and marginal farmers in India? [UPSC Civil Services Exam – Mains 2022]
Practice Question
Analyze the obstacles that are impeding the broad implementation of agroforestry practices in India. Assess the influence of government policies, financial institutions, and community involvement in promoting agroforestry as a viable agricultural practice. [250 words]
How to approach this question?
Introduction (50 words):
- Start by briefly explaining what agroforestry is and its significance in sustainable agricultural practices.
- Mention the current status of agroforestry practices in India.
Body (150 words):
- Challenges: Discuss the various challenges hindering the widespread adoption of agroforestry practices in India. These could include issues related to land use policies, land tenure and ownership, access to finance and credit, market access and value chains, knowledge and extension services, climate change and environmental degradation, pests and diseases, and social and cultural factors.
- Role of Government Policies: Evaluate how government policies can influence the advancement of agroforestry. Discuss both the positive impacts (such as the National Agroforestry Policy) and the areas that need improvement.
- Role of Financial Institutions: Assess the role of financial institutions in providing necessary financial support for agroforestry projects.
- Community Participation: Discuss the importance of community involvement in promoting agroforestry. Highlight successful case studies where community participation has led to the successful implementation of agroforestry practices.
Conclusion (50 words):
- Conclude by summarizing the importance of overcoming these challenges and the role of various stakeholders in promoting agroforestry as a sustainable agricultural practice.
- Suggest some measures that could be taken to further promote agroforestry in India.
Remember to provide a balanced answer, incorporating relevant facts and figures, and propose feasible solutions. Structure your answer well, with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion. Also, ensure that your answer is within the word limit specified for the exam. Good luck!