Agroforestry as a Strategy for Livelihood Security in the Rainfed Areas: Experience and Expectations

Abstract

Agroforestry in rainfed areas increases livelihood security through simultaneous production of food, fodder, and firewood, and an increase in total productivity per unit area of land. Management of trees in conjunction with crops in rainfed areas minimizes the risk associated with stress period through diversified components and through efficient utilization of limited natural resources. The major objective of agroforestry in rainfed areas is gainful utilization of off-season precipitation, income stabilization, soil and water conservation, insurance against weather aberrations and mitigation of climate change. In India, agroforestry practices in rainfed agriculture have been used to manage scattered trees on farm lands, trees on farm bunds, wood lots as block plantations, trees on range lands, and vegetative live hedges for ecological, social, and economic functions. To enhance rural livelihood security among the dryland farmers, several improved agroforestry systems, commercial plantations and biofuels and bioenergy systems came into being for adoption. Agroforestry plantation-based success stories reveal livelihood security of small, marginal, and landless farmers. Steps to promote basic and promotional agroforestry research in dryland agriculture and appropriate policy responses with extension outreach may potentially deliver better results in rainfed agriculture. Rainfed agroforestry for livelihood security reflects the positive way in utilization of rainfed area resources.KeywordsAgroforestry SystemSole CropSilvopastoral SystemArable CropRainfed ConditionThese keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.