Asian Jr. of Microbiol. Biotech. Env. Sc. Vol. 24, No. (2) : 2022 : 214-223
© Global Science Publications
ISSN-0972-3005
IMPACT OF AGROFORESTRY SYSTEMS: A REVIEW
ANAND SALVE
1
, CHHAVI TIWARI
2
AND LOKESH BAGHELE
3
Shri Vaishnav Vidyapeeth Vishwavidyalaya, Indore, (M.P.), India
(Received 25 November, 2021; Accepted 15 January, 2022)
Key words: Agroforestry, Environmental services, Nutrient Cycling and Biodiversity.
Abstract– Agroforestry is a collective name of all agricultural processes related to the scientific management
of land that increases overall production under different manners. The security of our natural resources is
decreasing every day, these processes will increase the pressure on natural forests and agriculture. We are
staying on the stage where we have to take a hard decision to conserve our natural resources and their
sustainability. In this context, agroforestry makes sure a scientific solution to all these problems which
provide a vast series of good public services. Under this review paper, we discussed various environmental
services and conclude that the incorporation of native tree species on farmland can diversifis the farm
income and promote maximum use of land. While, Nutrient pumping is one of the best intangible
environmental services of the agroforestry system in which productivity of land can be utilized sharply, at
the same time agroforestry boosts the soil health in the course of decomposition of raw materials.
Biodiversity and Carbon sequestration in agroforestry systems is typically higher than in conventional
agricultural systems. Two or more interacting plant species in a given area create a more complex habitat
that can support a wider variety of fauna. Tree cover accounts for more than 75% of the global carbon pool.
Agroforestry can significantly contribute to climate change mitigation along with adaptation benefits.
Adoption of agroforestry drove carbon storage and increased livelihoods simultaneously among small-scale
farmers. Agroforestry has a wide range of systems and practices, with their selection and use-dependent on
ecological, biophysical, and social factors. The main focus of agroforestry is to meet the needs of rural people
in developing countries in a sustainable manner. Its growth and implementation have been closely linked
with social and community forestry programs in developing countries.
INTRODUCTION
Agroforestry is viewed as a sustainable alternative
to monoculture systems because of its ability to
provide multiple ecosystem services (Kuyah et al.,
2016). Now a day’s India faces crises of fuel, food
and fodder. Increasing population made this
situation more critical, the last decade has seen an
increase in scientific investigation and data that
substantiate some of these claims. To reduce this
effect researcher suggest a unique land use system
known as agroforestry. The integration of trees,
agricultural crops, and/or animals into an
agroforestry system has the potential to enhance soil
fertility, reduce erosion, improve water quality,
enhance biodiversity, increase aesthetics, and
sequester carbon (Garrett and McGraw 2000).
Incorporation of native species in agroforestry
systems often depends on the indigenous
knowledge of local landowners and communities.
Agroforestry practices also provide improved
wildlife habitat by increasing structural and
compositional plant diversity on the landscape (Jose
2009). Agroforestry can be a good step to check
deforestation and erosion in the hills. Agroforestry
encompasses a wide variety of practices, including
crop-fallow rotations, complex agroforests, simple
agroforests, silvipastoral systems, and urban
agroforestry (Steppler and Nair, 1987). According to
Raj et al., (2014) agroforestry has the potential to
alter the microclimate under the tree canopy. It plays
a major role in enhancement of overall farm
productivity, soil fertility through addition of litter
and organic matter, climate change mitigation
through carbon sequestration, phytoremediation,
watershed protection and biodiversity conservation.
According to Dhyani et al. (2013) in India the
current area under agroforestry is estimated at 25.32
Mha, or 8.2% of total geographical area of the
country. This includes 20.0 Mha in cultivated lands
DOI No.: http://doi.org/10.53550/AJMBES.2022.v24i02.002