Published By:
(ISSN: 2564-4653; CODEN: AAGGCI; DOI: 10.33002/aa) is an international, scientific double blind peer-reviewed open access journal published half-yearly (in June and December) online by The Grassroots Institute in partnership with University of Lucian Blaga of Sibiu (Romania) and Fondacija Alica (Bosnia & Herzegovina).
Open Access—free for readers, with article processing charges (APC) paid by authors or their institutions.
High Visibility: Proposed to be indexed in the Web of Science and other databases.
Time for Processing: Primary acceptance to the submitted article is given in 1 week time. After consent of author(s), manuscript is peer-reviewed and a first decision provided to authors in 2-4 weeks after submission.
Recognition of Reviewers: The reviewers who provide timely, thorough peer-review reports receive vouchers entitling them to a discount on the APC of their next publication in the journal, in appreciation of the work done. Reviewers also receive Certificate for their voluntary service.
The objective of our journal Agrobiodiversity & Agroecology is to explore variety of concepts, practices and implications in emerging scientific fields within combined and integrated domain of Agrobiodiversity (or Agricultural Biodiversity) and Agroecology. This journal aims at creating an opportunity for presenting different research from all parts of the world that facilitate the dialogue across different disciplines and various actors for capitalizing on different kind of knowledges. This journal is inclusive by giving the opportunity to: (i) researcher from the South to publish in a journal without any fees for the open-access, and (ii) farmers' organizations and NGOs to be represented as co-authors with researchers for presenting together their viewpoints on the research.
Agroforestry Systems in North-Western Himalayas, India: An Overview
Harish Sharma*1, Kashmir Singh Pant2, Rohit Bishist3, Prem Prakash Sharma4, Krishan Lal Gautam5
1Department of Silviculture and Agroforestry, Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan (HP), India. Email: harish.s2077@gmail.com | ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2871-4366
2Department of Silviculture and Agroforestry Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan (HP), India. Email: pant_ks@rediffmail.com | ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9453-696X
3Department of Silviculture and Agroforestry, Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan (HP), India. Email: rohit.ndri@gmail.com| ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6807-1436
4Department of Silviculture and Agroforestry, Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan (HP), India. Email: pprakash107@gmail.com | ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8403-2592
5Department of Silviculture and Agroforestry, Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan (HP), India. Email: krishanlalgautam99@gmail.com | ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0293-2560
*Corresponding author
Agrobiodiversity & Agroecology, 02(01): 1-20. Doi: https://doi.org/10.33002/aa020101
Received: 14 April 2022
Reviewed: 29 May 2022
Accepted: 31 May 2022
Published: 30 June 2022
No. of Abstract Views:
No. of Full Paper Views:
No. of Paper Downloads:
The Agroforestry systems practiced traditionally in Himalayan region are witnessed by the trees retained by farmers on their farmland. This traditional sustainable land use may be driven by topographical features, socio-economic conditions, cultural and aesthetic values in the region. For the development of any location-specific agroforestry technology, understanding the basis as well as goals towards which it is to be directed plays an important role. With the time human population has increased, rapid urbanization and industrialization increasing demand an alternate land use system tending to cope with the developmental activities in a sustainable manner. Agroforestry technology acts as a cushion against the ecological hazards associated with the developmental activities. The present article is an overview of the various agroforestry practices prevalent and their structural composition in different agro-ecological zones, along with their potential bio-economic productivity, in Himachal Pradesh of North-Western Himalayan region. Agri-silviculture, agri-horticulture, agri-silvi-horticulture, agri-horti-silviculture, horti-silviculture, silvi-pasture, pastoral-silviculture, agri-silvi-pasture, pastoral-silvi-horticulture, etc. are among different agroforestry systems in the region with structural composition varying as per needs and preferences of the farmers and suiting ecological conditions. The production potential in terms of biological productivity ranged between 5.13ton ha-1 and 198.20 ton ha-1. Economically, the benefit and cost ratio of the systems varied from 1.23 to 5.77 depending on the nature of the components associated, expenses incurred, and the returns obtained from the systems. Further, being economically viable the important advantage associated with the agroforestry is the carbon storage potential helping in mitigation and adaptation to the changing climatic conditions. The carbon stock potential among different agroforestry systems varied from 29.72 ton ha-1 to109.93 ton ha-1.
Keywords: Carbon; Himalayas; Land use; Productivity; Sustainability
Arunachalam, A., Handa, A.K., Dev, I., Kaushal, R., Panwar, P. and Dhyani, S.K. (2020). Alternate land
use and agroforestry systems for resource conservation and enhanced productivity in the hills. Indian Journal of Hill Farming, 33(1): 176-193. Available online at: http://www.kiran.nic.in/pdf/IJHF/Vol_33_1/26.pdf [Accessed on 12 April 2022]
Atul, P. and Khosla, P.K. (1994). Himalayan agroecosystems status- a case study. Biological
Bammanahalli, S. (2016). Productivity and carbon storage in prevalent agroforestry systems in
Bayard, B., Jolly, C.M. and Shannon, D. (2007). The economics of adoption and management of alley
Chavan, S.P., Keerthika, A., Dhyani, S.K., Handa, A.K., Newaj, R. and Rajarajan, K. (2015). National
agroforestry policy in India: a low hanging fruit. Current Science, 108(10): 1826-1834. Available online at: https://www.biopasos.com/biblioteca/83v%201826.pdf [Accessed 19 May 2022]
Chisanga, K., Bhardwaj, D.R. and Sharma, S. (2013). Bio-economic appraisal of agroforestry systems
in Dry Temperate Western Himalayas. Journal of Tree Sciences, 32(1&2): 1-7. Available online at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/313899888_Bioeconomic_Appraisal_of_
Agroforestry_Systems_in_Dry_Temperate_Western_Himalayas [Accessed 19 May 2022]
Chisanga, K., Bhardwaj, D.R., Pala, N.A. and Thakur, C.L. (2018). Biomass production and carbon
Combe, J. (1982). Agroforestry techniques in tropical countries: potential and limitations.
Dhyani, S.K., Handa, A.K. and Uma (2013). Area under agroforestry in India: An assessment for
DoA (Department of Agriculture) (2009). The study on diversified agriculture for enhanced farm
GoHP (Government of Himachal Pradesh) (2021). Economic survey 2020-21 saving lives and
livelihoods. Department of Economics and Statistics, GoHP, p.236. Available online at: https://himachalservices.nic.in/economics/pdf/Economic_Survey_eng2020-21.pdf [Accessed on 29 June 2022]
Goswami, S., Verma, K.S. and Kaushal, R. (2014). Biomass and carbon sequestration in different
Goswami, S. (2009). Appraisal of agroforestry land use system for their carbon sequestration
Gupta, B., Sarvade, S. and Singh, M. (2017). Species composition, biomass production, and carbon
ICAR (Indian Council of Agricultural Research) (2020). Agroforestry for income enhancement,
climate resilience and ecosystem services. Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi, p.30. Available online at: https://cafri.res.in/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Agroforestry-for-Income-enhancement-Climate-resilience-and-Ecosystem-services.pdf [Accessed on 29 June 2022]
ISFR (Indian State of Forest Report) (2013). Indian State of Forest Report 2013. Forest Survey of
Jhanju, S. (2021). Appraisal of existing agroforestry systems in Seraj valley of District Mandi, HP.
M.Sc. Thesis. Dr. YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan (HP), p.79.
Kachru, S.R. (1997). Diagnostic survey and productivity appraisal of agroforestry systems in sub
temperate and sub humid region of Himachal Pradesh. M.Sc. Thesis. Dr. Y. S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan (H.P.), India, p.162.
Kaler, N.S., Gupta, B. and Negi, V. (2017). Traditional agroforestry systems in cold desert region of
Kumar, B.M., Handa, A.K., Dhyani, S.K. and Arunachalam, A. (2018a). Agroforestry in the Indian
Kumar, M. (1996). Bio-economic appraisal of agroforestry land use systems. M.Sc. Thesis. Dr. Y. S.
Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan (H.P.), India, p.186.
Kumar, P., Thakur, C.L., Rai, P. and Attri, K. (2018b). Identification of existing agroforestry systems
Kumar, P. (2016). Appraisal of existing agroforestry systems in sub temperate region of Solan
District of Himachal Pradesh. M.Sc. Thesis. Dr. YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry Nauni, Solan (HP), p.75.
Kumari, A., Sehgal, R.N. and Kumar, S. (2008). Traditional agroforestry systems practiced in Lahul
(Lahaul & Spiti) and Kinnaur Districts of Himachal Pradesh. Indian Forester, 8: 1003-1010. Available online at: http://www.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/files/Traditional%20agroforestry%20systems.pdf [Accessed on 29 June 2022]
Lefroy, E. (2009). Agroforestry and the Functional Mimicry of Natural Ecosystems. In: Nuberg, I.,
George. B. and Reid, R. (eds.) Agroforestry for Natural Resource Management. Collingwood, Australia: CSIRO Publishing. pp.23-36. Available online at: https://library.uniteddiversity.coop/Permaculture/Agroforestry/Agroforestry_for
_Natural_Resource_Management.pdf [Accessed on 29 June 2022]
Mazumdar, H.K. (1991). Biomass productivity and nutrient budgeting agroforestry systems. Ph.D.
Thesis. Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan (HP), India, p.125.
Nair, P.K.R. and Dagar, J.C. (1991). An approach to developing methodologies for evaluating
Nair, P.K.R. (1993). An Introduction to Agroforestry. Dordrecht, The Netherlands: Kluwer Academic
Paul, C., Weber, M., and Knoke, T. (2017). Agroforestry versus farm mosaic systems- comparing
Rajput, B.S., Bhardwaj, D.R. and Pala, N.A. (2017). Factors influencing biomass and carbon storage
Rajput, B.S. (2010). Bioeconomic appraisal and carbon sequestration potential of different and use
Salve, A. and Bhardwaj, D.R. (2020). Soil carbon stock and nutrient study in different agroforestry
Sharma, H., Kumar, D., Ludarmani, and Pant, K.S. (2020). Agroforestry a sustainable tool for climate
Sharma, J., Sharma, S.D., Sharma, K. and Sharma, D. (2021). Appraisal of biological yield and
economic returns of existing afroforestry systems in Tehsil Bangana of Unda District of Himachal Pradesh, India. Biological Forum- An International Journal, 13(2): 413-419. Available online at: https://researchtrend.net/bfij/pdf/56%20Appraisal%20of%20Biological%20Yield
%20and%20Economic%20Returns%20of%20Existing%20Agroforestry%20Systems%20in%
20Tehsil%20Bangana%20of%20Una%20District%20of%20Himachal%20Pradesh,%20India
%20Som%20Dutt%20Sharma%20913.pdf [Accessed on 29 June 2022]
Sharma, K.K. (1996). Agroforestry in farming system development. Indian Forester, 122: 547-559.
Sharma, K., Thakur, S., Sharma, R. and Kashyap, S.D. (2008). Production and economics of Kinnow
Shukla, S., Pandey, V.V., and Kumar, V. (2018). Agroforestry systems as a tool in sustainable rural
Singh, M., Gupta, B., Sarvade, S. and Awasthe, R.K. (2015). Biomass and carbon sequestration
Singh, R., Pant, K.S., Tiwari, P. and Dhiman, R. (2020). Biomass productivity of different
Singh, R. (2014). Carbon storage, soil enrichment potential and bio-economic appraisal of different
land use systems in sub-montane and low hills sub-tropical zone-I of Himachal Pradesh. Ph.D. Thesis. Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan (HP), p.130.
Singh, R. (2019). Studies on identification and socio-economic status of existing agroforestry
Singh, R., Bhardwaj, D.R., Pala, N.A. and Rajput, B.S. (2019). Biomass production and carbon stock
Solanki, K.R. (1998). Agroforestry research in India. Special issue. Indian Journal of Agricultural
Sood, K.K. (2006). The influence of household economics and farming aspects on adoption of
Thakur, A. (2020). Appraisal of existing agroforestry systems in Chuhar valley of district Mandi, H.P.
Thakur, N.S., Gupta, N.K. and Gupta, B. (2004). Phytosociology analysis of woody and non-woody
Tiwari, P., Pant, K.S. and Singh, R. (2018). System units under prevalent agroforestry systems in
North-Western Himalayas and their constraints. Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry, 7(6): 2758-2764. Available online at: https://www.phytojournal.com/archives/2018/vol7issue6/PartAU/7-6-273-254.pdf [Accessed on 29 June 2022]
Toky, O.P., Kumar, P. and Khosla, P.K. (1989). Structure and function of traditional agroforestry
WMO (World Meteorological Organization) (2021). State of the Global Climate 2021- WMO
Provisional Report. World Meteorological Organization, Geneva, Switzerland, 47p. Available online at: https://library.wmo.int/doc_num.php?explnum_id=10859 [Accessed on 29 June 2022]
Sharma, H., Pant, K.S., Bishist, R., Sharma, P.P. and Gautam, K.L. (2022). Agroforestry Systems in North-Western Himalayas, India: An Overview. Agrobiodiversity & Agroecology, 02(01): 1-20. Doi: https://doi.org/10.33002/aa020101
Sharma, H., Pant, K. S., Bishist, R., Sharma, P. P., & Gautam, K. L. (2022). Agroforestry Systems in North-Western Himalayas, India: An Overview. Agrobiodiversity & Agroecology, 02 (01), 1-20. https://doi.org/10.33002/aa020101
Sharma H., Pant K.S., Bishist R., Sharma P.P., Gautam K.L. Agroforestry Systems in North-Western Himalayas, India: An Overview. Agrobiodiversity & Agroecology, 2022, 02 (01), 1-20. https://doi.org/10.33002/aa020101
Sharma, Harish, Pant, Kashmir Singh, Bishist, Rohit, Sharma, Prem Prakash, Gautam, Krishan Lal. 2022. “Agroforestry Systems in North-Western Himalayas, India: An Overview”. Agrobiodiversity & Agroecology, 02 no. 01: 1-20. https://doi.org/10.33002/aa020101
Sharma, Harish, Kashmir Singh Pant, Rohit Bishist, Prem Prakash Sharma and Krishan Lal Gautam. 2022. “Agroforestry Systems in North-Western Himalayas, India: An Overview”. Agrobiodiversity & Agroecology, 02 (01): 1-20. https://doi.org/10.33002/aa020101
| Crossref: | https://doi.org/10.33002/aa020101 |
| EuroPub: | |
| Scilit: | https://www.scilit.net/article/b8bc8e08f50f7291c82ba84cd7b66877 |
| Publons: | https://publons.com/publon/53130519/ |
| SSRN: | http://ssrn.com/abstract=4155394 |
| Cite Factor: | https://www.citefactor.org/article/index/214415/agroforestry-systems-in-north-western-himalayas-india-an-overview#.YsWFrmBBxPY |
| Academia.edu: | https://www.academia.edu/s/aae02821d3?source=link |
| Dimensions: | Not found |
| ZENODO: | https://zenodo.org/record/6802411#.YsWAkmBBxPY |
| OpenAIRE: | https://explore.openaire.eu/search/publication?pid=10.33002%2Faa020101 |
| Scribd: | https://www.scribd.com/document/581550330/aa-02-01-01-sharmaetal-m00300 |
| ScienceGate: | |
| J-Gate: | |
| Research Gate: | https://www.researchgate.net/publication/361806787_Agroforestry_ Systems_in_North-Western_Himalayas_India_An_Overview |
| Google Scholar: | |
| FAO-AGRIS: |
| Internet Archive: | https://archive.org/details/aa-02-01-01-sharmaetal-m00300 |
| WorldCat: |
© 2022 by the author(s). Licensee Agrobiodiversity & Agroecology. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). We allow to freely share (copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format) and adapt (remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially) with a legal code: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode.
Agrobiodiversity & Agroecology by The Grassroots Institute is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License based on a work at www.grassrootsjournals.org.
Go to Top
