Sustainable Agroforestry Management Options for Rainfed Lands in Arid and Semi-arid Regions of India

Abstract

In order to improve ecological conditions in arid and semi-arid regions, it is important to integrate agriculture, horticulture, and forestry in cropping systems on arable lands. For degraded, marginal and wastelands, silvopastoral system integrating grasses/legumes with top-feed tree species and livestock, could bring these lands into cultivation, for higher economic returns. Inclusion of fodder-yielding plants in perennial plantation may help to increase the number of milch animals as also the production of farmyard manure. It is suggested that more detailed studies are required to improve the natural resource base, create more employment opportunities, so as to better the economic status of farming community. Alley cropping requires fine-tuning. Indigenous quick-growing, nitrogen-fixing multipurpose tree species/shrubs amenable to coppicing and having nonaggressive rooting system should find a place together with soil-conserving and soil fertility building crops. Management practices will differ from one agroecoregion to another. Live bunds and boundary plantations and their management is crucial for stabilising the soil-resource base. Once perfected, the practice will catch-up with the farming community, both in arid and semi-arid regions.