Parliament Question: Role of Agroforestry in Generating Rural Employment

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 277 ANSWERED ON 21/07/2026 ROLE OF AGROFORESTRY IN GENERATING RURAL EMPLOYMENT

277. Thiru Dr. S Jagathratchakan:

Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

(a) the role envisaged by the Government for agroforestry in generating rural employment, strengthening climate resilience, promoting sustainable land-use practices and supporting livelihood diversification and the factors that have constrained its full utilisation despite its recognised potential;

(b) the programmes implemented by the Government for linking agroforestry with rural development initiatives, livelihood schemes, natural resource management activities and community-based development interventions;

(c) the achievements recorded under initiatives designed to encourage the adoption of agroforestry practices while enhancing income opportunities and environmental sustainability in rural areas; and

(d) the measures proposed by the Government for expanding agroforestry-based livelihood opportunities, strengthening community engagement and improving long-term socio- economic outcomes in rural areas in the country? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT (SHRI KAMLESH PASWAN)

(a) to (d): As per the information furnished by Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Government of India introduced National Agroforestry Policy (NAP), 2014 to promote tree planting in agricultural landscapes, recommending establishment of a Mission for the organized development of agroforestry sector. In pursuance of the Policy, Sub-Mission on Agroforestry (SMAF) under National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) was implemented by Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare from 2016-17 to 2021- 22 to integrate tree planting with agricultural crops under the motto Page 1 of 3"Har Medh Par Ped", thereby providing farmers with an additional source of income and enhancing the resilience of farming systems.

The scheme helped in generating on-farm employment, strengthening climate resilience and promoting sustainable land-use practices through integration of trees with crops/fruit trees, thus, contributed to improve soil health, efficient use of natural resources, carbon sequestration, biodiversity conservation and diversification of farm income through production of timber, fuelwood, fodder, fruits and other tree-based products.

Subsequently, from 2023-24, SMAF has been restructured as Agroforestry Component under Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (PM- RKVY). The scheme aims to ensure the availability of Quality Planting Material (QPM), including seeds, seedlings, clones, hybrids and improved varieties, to promote tree-based farming and increase tree cover on agricultural lands. Under this component, assistance is being provided for establishment of nurseries, raising Quality Planting Material (QPM) in existing nurseries, capacity building, and technical support through institutions such as ICAR- CAFRI for effective implementation of agroforestry programmes.

Since the start of the agroforestry scheme, a total of 1725 agroforestry nurseries have been established, around 1,594 lakh of quality planting materials (QPM) (saplings) have been raised and 403 agroforestry nurseries have been accredited under the National Nursery Accreditation Protocol.

In addition, under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (Mahatma Gandhi NREGS) of the Ministry of Rural Development, plantation-based activities such as Farm Forestry on individual and community lands were permissible works and contributed towards natural resource management, climate resilience, and livelihood enhancement.

The details of Farm Forestry works completed under Mahatma Gandhi NREGS during the last three financial years and the current year (up to 30th June, 2026) are as follows:

Farm forestry works completed during the last three financial years and the current year (up to 30th June) under Mahatma Gandhi NREGS.

Financial Year No. of works completed 2026-27 44,046 2025-26 1,50,484 2024-25 1,49,441 2023-24 1,41,791 Page 2 of 3Consequent upon enactment of the Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB–G RAM G) Act in December 2025 the implementation of VB- G RAM G Scheme has commenced in the rural areas of entire country with effect from 1st July, 2026.

Under the VB–G RAM G Act, 2025, plantation-based livelihood and climate-resilient interventions continue to receive due emphasis.

Accordingly, "Agroforestry Block Plantation on Individual Land, Community Land, and Wasteland" has been included as a permissible work under the interim list of permissible works, replacing the earlier Farm Forestry category under Mahatma Gandhi NREGS. The objective of the intervention is to promote sustainable land use, strengthen climate resilience, enhance green cover, and provide long-term livelihood opportunities for rural households.

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