DOCTORAL SEMINAR

CLIMATE SMART AGROFORESTRY: A

STEP TO REDUCE CLIMATE CHANGE
PRESENTED BY
SHIVALIKA
PhD. AGROFORESTRY
ID.No. 23402
 TABLE OF CONTENTS
S.No. Contents
1. Introduction
2. Distinction between Agroforestry and Climate-smart
agroforestry
3. Key challenges in context of climate change
4. Climate resilient agroforestry practices
5. Benefits of CSAF
6. Technological innovative tools
7. Decision tools
8. Policies in relation to CSAF
9. Government programmes promoting CSAF in India
10. Case studies
11. Conclusion
12. References
 INTRODUCTION
We are living in a time of crisis which calls for change in the way we live on this
planet Earth, and forests and trees in landscapes and on farms have an important
role in addressing global challenges (Larson et al., 2021).

The two most important issues facing humanity in the 21 st century are climate
change and food insecurity.
The world’s southern continents are reportedly experiencing severe drought due
to climate change, which negatively impacts agricultural production and farmer’s
livelihood.
As a result of climate change, traditional farming practices are becoming less
productive. It is increasing the dangers faced by farmers, prompting them to
reevaluate their practices.
Climate smart agroforestry is state-of-the-art under new realities of climate
change.
Climate smart agroforestry is a new name for an old farming practice
among the world’s traditional farmers, a holistic approach to land use in
which trees, crops and sometimes animals are combined within a managed
farmland, a sustainable farming system and practice, and a pathway toward
the mitigation and adaption of the biggest challenge of our times: CLIMATE
CHANGE.

CSAF is actually AF “plus” or good AF practices (Octavia et al., 2022), a

set of agriculture and silviculture knowledge and practices aimed not only at
increasing profits and resilience for farmers but also at improving
environmental parameters, including climate change mitigation and
adaptation, biodiversity enhancement, and soil and water conservation while
assuring sustainable landscape management.
 CLIMATE-SMART AGROFORESTRY
COMPRISES THREE PILLARS OR
OBJECTIVES

Source: Food and Agriculture organization of the United

Nation
DISTINCTION BETWEEN AGROFORESTRY AND
CLIMATE SMART AGROFORESTRY
CLIMATE SMART
AGROFORESTRY
AGROFORESTRY
 Relies on natural regeneration  Effective and efficient agricultural
 Extensification tendency practices and contributes to
 Use of forest land for subsistence reducing deforestation rate
farming with low external input  Intensification tendency
 No innovation and integration  Attention paid to quality assurance
between sectors and production sustainability
 Knowledge passed down based  Contributes to the achievement of
on experience across generations few SDGs.
in one community group  Based on local resources, use of
knowledge (scientific and
indigineous), technology and
advanced management
The key challenges facing agriculture and forestry in
the context of climate change

1. Increased frequency and severity of droughts, floods, and extreme weather

2. Increased prevalence of weeds, pests, and diseases that can damage crops
3. Reduced nutritional quality of crops due to elevated CO2 levels
4. Challenges in water availability and irrigation
5. Heat stress impacts on livestock health, fertility, and productivity
6. Threats to food security and rural livelihoods
7. Increased risk of wildfires, droughts, and insect/disease outbreaks
8. Shifts in forest composition and productivity
9. Decline in essential forest services like carbon sequestration, water
regulation, and habitat provision
10. Threats to Indigenous communities and traditional forest-based livelihoods
 BENEFITS OF CSAF
CSAF offers numerous benefits beyond agriculture, including economic,
environmental, and social aspects

•Boost productivity

•Ensuring food security

•Enhancing the economic viability of farming communities

•Sustainable land use and conservation measures

•Mitigating climate change impacts

•Increasing carbon sequestration

•Improving water quality

•Enhancing soil fertility

•Boosting biodiversity
•Equips farmers with strategies to adapt to changing climate conditions
WHAT ARE CLIMATE RESILIENT AGROFORESTRY
PRACTICES

1. Intercropping: Planting crops alongside trees or shrubs in the same field allows
for efficient use of land, enhances biodiversity and provides additional income
streams for farmers.

2. Alley cropping: Alternating rows of trees with rows of crops in the same field
creates alleys that provide shade, reduce soil erosion and improve soil fertility
through nutrient cycling.

3. Windbreaks and shelterbelts: Planting rows of trees or shrubs along field

margins helps to mitigate wind erosion, protect crops from wind damage and
create microclimates that buffer against temperature extremes

4. Silvipasture agroforestry: Integrating trees or shrubs with livestock grazing

systems improves forage quality, provides shade and shelter for animals and
enhances carbon sequestration in soils.
5. Forest Farming: Cultivating high-value crops under the canopy of an existing forest.
This can include medicinal plants, mushrooms, and specialty fruits and nuts.

6. Homegardens and Mixed Agroforestry systems: Combining various trees, crops

and livestock in a single plot to maximize resource use efficiency and biodiversity.

7. Riparian Buffer strips: Planting trees and shrubs along watercourses helps to filter
sediment and nutrients, reduce runoff pollution, and stabilize stream banks, thereby
improving water quality and aquatic habitat.
Technological innovations and digital tools play a crucial role in enhancing the
scalability, efficiency, and effectiveness of CSAF implementation
Remote
Sensing
and
Capacity- Satellite Geographi
Building and Imagery c
Knowledge Informatio
Sharing n Systems
Platforms (GIS)

Agroforest
Climate
ry
Informatio
Modeling
n Services
Tools
Mobile
Applicatio
Block chain
ns and
and Digital
Sensor
Platforms
Technologi
es
 DECISION TOOL
COMMUNITY
Underst
Climate hazard map and historical analysis of
and community
broader
context
Degraded soils/wind erosion/water
erosion/crop stress
Priority
areas
Individually owned/leased/community owned
Land
ownersh
ip Crops/livestock/fallow/combination

Land
 PRIORITIES
Underst Sole crop, rotations, integration of
and the livestock, agronomic practices, use of
timber and shrub products
farming
system
Soil, water/heat stress, extreme events,
environmental degradation, pests &
Constrai diseases, labour, finance
nts to Identifying land use types and
producti distribution, ownership, areas of high
on value for environmental services and
areas at risk from hazards

Medium
Short term Long term
Land term

use
 SPECIES SELECTION

What Assess what is available locally and list the

species attributes of each of these
are
growing
locally?
Yes No
Do any of
these
meet the
farmers’ Yes No No
priorities?
Consider
Is more Consider
sourcing
than one sourcing other
Use other
variety species that
available
multiple species that
locally- meet needs meet needs and
that
available and are are known to
meets
species known to grow well in the
farmers’
grow well in target area
needs?
the target
 TO SUMMARISE
STEP 1: Understand the broader context:
community
•Determine land use
•Climate risk mapping
•ID priority areas
•Determine land ownership

STEP 2: Define farmers’s priorities

•Understand the farming systems
•ID constraints to production
•ID short/medium/long-term priorities

STEP 3: Select the right species

•ID what is available locally?
•Cross-check with farmers priorities
•Are other options available?

STEP 4: Select climate smart agroforestry option

•Consider combinations of options
•Assess labour requirements
•Collect data and reflect on possible improvements
 POLICIES IN INDIA RELATED TO CSAF
According to the Economic Survey 2020-21, agriculture mitigated the impact of
the Covid-19 outbreak, as it accounted for 20% of GDP for the first time in 17
years. The following practices have been successfully used in India, but they
need to be scaled up further:
i) Farming with Zero Budget Natural Techniques Farming with Zero
Budget: Natural Techniques is a chemical-free farming method which
effectively eradicates the overall production and harvesting costs, as farmers
recover their expenses through intercropping and other sustainable practices.
It is a cross-sectoral strategy that affects natural resources, community health,
nutrition, and women's empowerment. Evolving in Karnataka, it has been in
practice in Andhra Pradesh where land productivity has increased.

ii) Private sector participation :The International Finance Corporation (IFC)

emphasizes the necessity of highlighting the business aspects of Climate-
Smart Agriculture (CSA) to encourage private sector engagement and
facilitate the scaling up of CSA adaptation. In India, companies like Cargill
Pvt Ltd, Kelloggs, PepsiCo, ITC have been promoting CSA practices in
sourcing produce from the farmers.
iii) Farmers Producers Organization (FPOs):Within the Farmer Producer
Organization (FPO), farmers become members, functioning as producers of their
agricultural products. These farmers have the opportunity to collectively incorporate
themselves under the provisions of the Indian Companies Act. New guidelines for
the establishment of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) were released by the
Ministry of Agriculture in 2020. This was done through three central agencies—
“National Bank for Rural Development”, “Small Farmers Agribusiness
Consortium”, and “National Cooperative Development Corporation”, in
collaboration with state regulatory bodies and the "National Agricultural
Cooperative Marketing Federation of India".
iv) Weather index-based crop insurance : Short-term climate induced risk has
been mitigated by schemes of Crop insurance. The “Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima
Yojana” and the “Integrated Agro-meteorological Advisory Service” have been
instrumental in assisting farmers to optimize their earnings.

v) Digital climate advisory services (DCAS) :This includes diverse digital

platforms such as online portals, mobile applications, and traditional yet digitally
enhanced formats like radio broadcasts and interactive voice response systems. The
availability of these services enabled through better networks and bundling have led
to a rise in their adoption by farmers.
 Government programmes promoting CSAF in India
Govt.Progra Climate- Energy- Nitrogen Crop- Knowle Weathe
mme smart smart -smart smart dge- r-smart
smart
Pradhan Drip -
Mantri Krishi irrigation
Sinchai Yojana
Conservati
on of
water &
irrigation
infrastruct
ure
Rashtriya Micro- Integrate Crop
krishi vikas irrigation d diversifica
Yojana Nutrient tion
Managem
ent
National Food Conservati Resource Integrate Farmer’
security on conserva d s
Mission Agricultur tion Nutrient Training
e Machines Managem
ent

Weather Agro-
Advisory Metrolo
Source: Kishore, A., Pal, B. D., Joshi, K., and Aggarwal, P. K. (2018). “Unfolding Government Policies Towards India’s Experience with Climate
gy Smart
Agriculture: Opportunities for Triangular Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific 88 Development of Climate Smart Agriculture in India.” “Agricultural
Renewable
Economics Research Review, 31 (Conference Number),Solarpp. 123–37”
 Case study 1. Prominent CSAF technologies that are used in
different states
Description and
State Technology Used Applications Benefits
Monitoring forest cover, soil Accurate data
Remote Sensing and
Andhra Pradesh health, and crop growth collection, real-time
Satellite Imagery
using satellite data. monitoring.
Mobile-based platforms for
pest and disease Early detection and
Assam Mobile Applications
surveillance in tea management,
agroforestry systems. reduced crop loss.
Providing weather forecasts
Climate Information and climate advisories to Enhanced climate
Bihar
Services farmers for better crop resilience, timely
planning. agricultural planning.
Integrating coconut, cashew,
and spice cultivation with
Goa Mixed Farming Systems
traditional agroforestry Diversified income,
practices. sustainable land use.
Promoting eco-tourism in
Himachal Eco-Tourism and agroforestry regions to boost Economic benefits,
Pradesh Agroforestry Integration local economy and conservation
conservation efforts. awareness.
Combining traditional
agroforestry with modern
 Description and
State Technology Used Applications Benefits
Utilizing biopesticides and
Madhya Integrated Pest natural predators for pest Reduced chemical
Pradesh Management (IPM) control in agroforestry use, sustainable pest
systems. control.
Using blockchain for supply
Blockchain and Digital chain transparency and Increased
Maharashtra
Platforms ensuring fair trade practices transparency, fair
in agroforestry products. pricing for farmers.
Introducing drought-resistant
Drought-Resistant tree and crop varieties, and Increased resilience
Rajasthan Varieties and Water implementing water to drought,
Harvesting harvesting techniques for arid sustainable water
regions. use.
Providing farmers with
weather forecasts, climate
Climate Information
Uttar Pradesh advisories, and risk Improved climate
Services
assessments to adapt to resilience, timely
climate variability. decision-making.
Promoting agroforestry
practices suitable for high-
Uttarakhand High-Altitude Agroforestry altitude regions, integrating Enhanced livelihoods,
apple orchards with forest sustainable mountain
species. agriculture.
Mobile apps for soil moisture Enhanced farm
Mobile Applications and monitoring, pest management,
Punjab
Various reports, plans, and studies found that CSAF contributes
significantly to the economy, food sovereignty, and environmentalism,
and therefore supports the achievement of several SDGs (1, 2, 3, 5, 6,
7, 13, and 15).

Fig. . Linkage of CSAF practices with SDG priority areas. Source:

Prepared by the authors based on research results.
Fig.2 GHG Emissions Estimates of Uttarakhand (2005-2018)
Case study 2. Uttarakhand Climate Responsive
Rain-fed Farming Project (UCRRFP)
Project Overview
Uttarakhand Climate Responsive Rain-fed Farming Project (UCRRFP) was implemented
by the Watershed Management Directorate, Uttarakhand. The project development
objectives are to improving the resilience and productivity of small holder agriculture for
increased profitability with low GHG emission in selected micro-watersheds of
uttarakhand. UCRRFP is a six-year project was operationalised from 2023 to 2029. The
project cost is USD 138.39M (IBRD: USD 100M, State Govt. USD 32.82M &
Beneficiary: USD 5.56M).

Project Description
Uttarakhand being a hilly state agriculture is pre- dominantly rain-fed and remains
vulnerable to moderate to extreme weather conditions. Sustaining increased agriculture
outputs in a rapidly changing climate will require adaptation at a faster pace. Enhancing
food security while reducing GHG Emissions from farming practices will require
transition to production systems that are more productive, use input more efficiently, have
greater stability in outputs and are resilient to short- and long-term climate variability.
Uttarakhand Climate Responsive Rainfed Farming Project (UCRRFP) was implemented
in 06 hilly districts and 02 plain districts of Uttarakhand covering about 1200 villages and
comprising of 56 Micro watershed clusters.
Result Indicators :
The following Key Performance Indicators (KPI) are proposed for
measuring the core outcomes of the project: -
◆ KPI #1: - Reduction in GHG emissions from representative
cropped land parcels.
◆ KPI #2: - Increase in productivity of selected crops.
◆ KPI #3: - Increase in net income of sampled households adopting
improved agricultural technology.
◆ KPI #4: - Increased water discharge in the identified spring-
sheds
Case study 3 : Best Bet Climate Smart Agroforestry Options that have
potential to address climate risks across the kumaon region.
CSAF What is it? Increase Resilience/ Mitigate
practice production adaptation GHG
option emissions
if possible
Boundary, Planting trees Increases Reduces erosion of Locks
live fence and/or shrubs availability of tree soil and more
and hedge around the and shrub evaporation. carbon in
planting edges of fields, products (nuts, Increases water plants and
farms, gardens fruit, timber etc.) retention and in the soil
and and biomass, infiltration.
homesteads which improves Diversifies income
soil fertility and sources. Improves
thus production yield stability
Farmer Protecting, Increases Reduces erosion of Locks
managed (re-)planting availability of soil and more
natural and managing biomass, which evaporation. carbon in
regeneratio trees and improves soil Increases water plants and
n shrubs that are fertility and thus retention and the soil
growing production. The infiltration.
naturally on trees/ shrubs can Diversifies income
the farm be a source of sources. Improves
income and yield stability
reduce cost
 CONCLUSION
Climate-smart agroforestry (CSAF) is a crucial approach to
address the challenges posed by climate change on agriculture and
agroforestry.
It provides empirical evidence on reduced deforestation and
improved farmers’ livelihoods due to implemented CSAF. It revealed
that CSA practices help farmers to withstand climatic stresses while
improving their livelihoods by increasing crop productivity and
income.
Research on CSAF is increasingly more urgent as development
agents race to mitigate the negative and potentially irreversible
impacts of climate and environmental change and to achieve the
global development goals (SDGs) by 2030.
Institutional frameworks involving local organizations, “Farmers
Producers Organizations”, “Non-governmental Organizations”,
“Self-help Groups” , “Community-based Organizations”, agricultural
departments, agripreneurs, and the private sector can effectively
be utilized to broaden the implementation of Climate-Smart
Agriculture (CSA) practices.
Establishing robust Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV)
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Singh, M and Hasan, F.Q. (2023). Climate Smart Agriculture Practices in India. EAI Endorsed
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YOU