Agroforestry Mission and Schemes for Sustainable Development in India

Agroforestry (AF) in India represents a sustainable land-use system that integrates trees with agricultural crops and livestock, enhancing both ecological interactions and economic returns. The National Mission on Agroforestry (NMAF) plays a crucial role in promoting AF as part of India's "Evergreen Revolution," addressing deforestation, biodiversity loss, and climate change. By diversifying incomes through timber, fuelwood, and fruits, AF benefits small farmers while improving soil health and water conservation. It contributes to achieving the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Government initiatives like the Sub-Mission on Agroforestry (SMAF) and NITI Aayog's GROW initiative employ geographical information systems (GIS) and remote sensing (RS) to expand AF across degraded and wasteland areas. The Union Budget 2024-25 allocated significant funds to scale up AF in India. With it’s potential for biodiversity conservation, employment generation, and sustainable land management, AF stands as a vital strategy for ensuring India’s agricultural and environmental sustainability.