Introduction
Rural landscapes are increasingly exposed to the impacts of climate change, including erratic rainfall, rising temperatures, land degradation, and declining agricultural productivity. Smallholder farmers, who depend heavily on natural resources for their livelihoods, are among the most vulnerable to these changes. There is an urgent need for land-use systems that can simultaneously enhance climate resilience, improve rural livelihoods, and contribute to climate change mitigation.
Agroforestry—defined as the deliberate integration of trees with crops and/or livestock—offers a proven, nature-based solution to these interconnected challenges. Well-designed agroforestry systems improve soil health, enhance biodiversity, regulate microclimates, diversify farm income, and sequester significant amounts of carbon both above and below ground. Despite its multiple benefits, adoption of agroforestry at scale remains limited due to knowledge gaps, weak extension support, limited access to quality planting material, and insufficient policy and market incentives.
This project aims to scale climate-resilient agroforestry systems across rural landscapes by strengthening farmer capacity, improving access to resources and markets, and generating measurable climate and livelihood benefits. The initiative will support farmers—particularly women and youth—to transition from climate-vulnerable monocropping systems to diversified, resilient agroforestry-based production systems.
Background and Rationale
Conventional agricultural practices have contributed to soil degradation, loss of tree cover, and increased greenhouse gas emissions, undermining long-term productivity and ecosystem services. In many rural areas, deforestation and unsustainable land use have further exacerbated vulnerability to climate shocks.
Agroforestry systems such as agri-silviculture, agri-horticulture, silvopasture, and boundary plantations have demonstrated strong potential to restore degraded lands, enhance carbon sequestration, and stabilize farm incomes. These systems also align with national and global climate commitments, including Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), land restoration targets, and sustainable development goals.
Scaling agroforestry requires coordinated interventions that address technical, institutional, and market barriers. By integrating scientific knowledge with local practices and leveraging community institutions, this project seeks to mainstream agroforestry as a key strategy for climate-resilient rural development.
Goal
To enhance climate resilience, rural livelihoods, and carbon sequestration through the large-scale adoption of sustainable agroforestry systems in rural landscapes.
Objectives
- Promote adoption of climate-resilient agroforestry systems among smallholder farmers.
- Improve soil health, biodiversity, and ecosystem services in targeted rural landscapes.
- Increase farm incomes through diversified production and market integration.
- Enhance carbon sequestration and contribute to climate change mitigation.
- Strengthen institutional capacity and policy linkages for sustainable agroforestry scaling.
Target Groups
- Smallholder and marginal farmers
- Women farmers and self-help groups
- Rural youth and agroforestry entrepreneurs
- Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) and community institutions
Key Interventions and Activities
- Agroforestry System Design and Establishment
- Site-specific agroforestry planning based on agro-climatic conditions
- Promotion of multi-strata systems combining trees, crops, and/or livestock
- Distribution of climate-resilient, multipurpose tree species and quality planting material
- Establishment of community and farm-level nurseries
- Capacity Building and Extension
- Farmer Field Schools and demonstration plots on agroforestry practices
- Training on tree management, pruning, harvesting, and soil-water conservation
- Development of local resource persons and extension champions
- Knowledge exchange and exposure visits
- Climate Resilience and Landscape Restoration
- Integration of agroforestry with watershed management and soil conservation measures
- Restoration of degraded lands and farm boundaries
- Promotion of biodiversity-friendly practices and native species
- Carbon Sequestration and Climate Finance
- Assessment and monitoring of carbon stocks in agroforestry systems
- Development of methodologies for measuring and reporting carbon sequestration
- Exploring opportunities for carbon credits and results-based climate finance
- Market Linkages and Value Chains
- Strengthening FPOs for aggregation and collective marketing of agroforestry products
- Linking farmers to markets for timber, fruits, fodder, fuelwood, and non-timber forest products
- Support for value addition and primary processing
- Gender and Youth Inclusion
- Targeted support for women-led agroforestry enterprises
- Skill development for youth in nursery management, tree-based value chains, and carbon services
- Promotion of equitable access to resources and decision-making
Implementation Strategy
The project will be implemented over a three- to five-year period through partnerships with local governments, research institutions, NGOs, and community organizations. A phased approach will be adopted, beginning with baseline assessments and pilot sites, followed by landscape-level scaling and institutional integration.
Expected Outcomes
- Increased adoption of agroforestry systems by smallholder farmers
- Improved soil fertility, water retention, and on-farm biodiversity
- Enhanced and diversified household incomes
- Increased carbon sequestration and reduced land degradation
- Strengthened community institutions and agroforestry value chains
Impact
The project will contribute to climate-resilient rural landscapes, sustainable livelihoods, and long-term carbon storage. By restoring tree cover and integrating productive land uses, it will generate environmental, social, and economic benefits at scale.
Sustainability and Scalability
Sustainability will be ensured through farmer ownership, strengthened institutions, market integration, and alignment with government programs and policies. Scalable models and lessons learned will be documented to support replication across regions.
Monitoring and Evaluation
A results-based monitoring and evaluation framework will track adoption rates, livelihood outcomes, ecosystem restoration indicators, and carbon sequestration benefits. Participatory monitoring and adaptive management will guide continuous improvement.
Alignment with SDGs
- SDG 1: No Poverty
- SDG 2: Zero Hunger
- SDG 5: Gender Equality
- SDG 13: Climate Action
- SDG 15: Life on Land
Conclusion
Scaling agroforestry systems offers a holistic and cost-effective pathway to address climate change, land degradation, and rural poverty simultaneously. By empowering farmers with knowledge, resources, and market access, this project will mainstream agroforestry as a cornerstone of climate-resilient development and contribute meaningfully to carbon sequestration and sustainable rural transformation.
