Multifunctional agroforestry systems in India: science-based policy options
Land-use options that increase resilience and reduce vulnerability of contemporary societies are fundamental to livelihoods improvement and adaptation to climate change. Agroforestry as a wide-spread land-use adaptation may potentially support livelihoods improvement through simultaneous production of food, fodder and firewood as well as mitigation and adaptation to climate change. Drawing on the representative literature from peer-reviewed research, this paper critically examines the contribution of agroforestry systems in India to: biodiversity conservation; yield of goods and services to society; augmentation of the carbon storage in agroecosystems; enhancing the fertility of the soils; and providing social and economic well-being to people.