Agroforestry in India and its Potential for Ecosystem Services

Abstract

India has a long tradition of agroforestry and many different types of indigenous agroforestry systems are found in different parts of the country. Most of these systems are location specific, and information on them is mostly anecdotal. The situation is now changing and a lot of research inputs have been at place since the existence of All India Coordinated Project on Agroforestry and establishment of National Centre for Agroforestry at Jhansi. Many technologies for rehabilitation of degraded lands including salt-affected and eroded lands have been developed and benefits of these technologies are reaching to the stake holders. Some of these issues and ecosystem services rendered through agroforestry systems, which are otherwise not highlighted, are discussed in this chapter. The need of separate agroforestry policy at place has been felt.