Influencing farmers' decision on agroforestry

Socio-economic changes like rising number of families, dwindling landholdings and eroding grain sustainability, prompt farmers to adopt either (i) cultivation of cash crops like vegetables or (ii) cultivation of less laborious crops like Sugarcane or (iii) changes to a different production system like horticulture, floriculture, plantation forestry, agroforesty or (iv) adopting off-farm income generation. Agroforestry is one of the options for farmers and its adoption depends on their experiences in securing profits. Agroforestry is an ancient practice but its commercial adoption is still localized. Different levels of resources and holdings of farmer may guide the type and extent of agroforestry adoption. A review of present agroforestry systems, especially in North India, reveal the considerations and priorities of farmers that influenced their agroforestry adoption. Current paper is a policy review document that derives suggestions out of field realities for policy makers, scientists, extension workers and the farmers. It reviews work practices of the agencies to suggest ways of increasing farmer's monetary returns from agroforestry and advocates institutional modifications and infrastructure development. It also highlights role of apparently un-related agencies like insurance sector, taxation and international trade. Although references are made to variety of agroforestry systems but poplar based agroforestry has mainly been focused for being widely popular.