Potential of agroforestry in water management and livelihood support

Abstract

Agroforestry is an old as the origin of Agriculture. But the scientific approach to this system has been realized recently. Global warming, climate change and deforestation are major responsible for the fluctuation in spatial and temporal distribution of rainfall which finally leads to water deficit. So water stress in agroforestry can be minimized by developing the appropriate models in general and growing site specific species in particular. Agroforestry is a compromise between the growing of forest and field crops on the same land simultaneously. This tree crop provides shade to the field crop with making land productive and increase revenue. Agroforestry system provide a variety of products, some of which are consumed by the farming family or sold for cash, and a variety of services that benefit the crops, livestock or the landscape and thus it can transform the rural landscape, and also alleviates poverty and support farmers' livelihood. They make clean environment with full utilization of soil resources help in generation of employment and income of the people.