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The Government of India is promoting natural farming (NF) which is evolved from our ancient heritage and traditional cultivation practices. Though NF has many advantages, it is facing several challenges like low yield in initial years, expecting high outputs from low cost of cultivation, lack of local cultivars and livestock, less availability of t...
Contexts in source publication
Context 1
... Japanese farmer and philosopher, Masanobu Fukuoka presented NF as an ecological farming approach in his book 'The One-Straw Revolution' in 1975 (Table 1). Masanobu Fukuoka and Mokichi Okada developed NF is also referred as "do-nothing farming" or "the farming approach that imitates the way of nature". ...Context 2
... Fukuoka and Mokichi Okada developed NF is also referred as "do-nothing farming" or "the farming approach that imitates the way of nature". Nature is responsible for the maintenance of vegetation including natural forests through nutrient and water cycling and protection them from infections and pests (Table 1). NF is a method in which agricultural practices are guided by natural laws and allows the complexity of both flora and fauna that creates sustainable agro ecological unit. ...Context 3
... Yoshikazu Kawaguchi who inspired from the work of Masanobu Fukuoka developed own methods and quoted NF is a way of approaching nature with awareness and respect [7]. Kawaguchi's NF method states the four core values i.e., do not plough the fields, there is no need to add fertilizers, weeds and insects are farmers' friends and promoted locally grown climate beneficial food (Table 1). With these four core values, he recommended to grow food in most parts of the world without off-farm inputs [7]. ...Context 4
... Japanese farmer and philosopher, Masanobu Fukuoka presented NF as an ecological farming approach in his book 'The One-Straw Revolution' in 1975 (Table 1). Masanobu Fukuoka and Mokichi Okada developed NF is also referred as "do-nothing farming" or "the farming approach that imitates the way of nature". ...Context 5
... Fukuoka and Mokichi Okada developed NF is also referred as "do-nothing farming" or "the farming approach that imitates the way of nature". Nature is responsible for the maintenance of vegetation including natural forests through nutrient and water cycling and protection them from infections and pests (Table 1). NF is a method in which agricultural practices are guided by natural laws and allows the complexity of both flora and fauna that creates sustainable agro ecological unit. ...Context 6
... Yoshikazu Kawaguchi who inspired from the work of Masanobu Fukuoka developed own methods and quoted NF is a way of approaching nature with awareness and respect [7]. Kawaguchi's NF method states the four core values i.e., do not plough the fields, there is no need to add fertilizers, weeds and insects are farmers' friends and promoted locally grown climate beneficial food (Table 1). With these four core values, he recommended to grow food in most parts of the world without off-farm inputs [7]. ...Citations
... Agroforestry (AF) is a land use practice (sustainable and/or resilient) that integrates perennial large shrubs and trees with crops and livestock on farmlands and rural landscapes to enhance diversity, productivity, and agroecosystem sustainability (Dinesha et al. 2022). The combination of trees, millets, and livestock restores soil health and renews food security through closed nutrient cycling and effective resource utilization. ...
... Trees like Balanites aegyptica, A. indica, and P. reticulatum contribute to the natural regulation of crop pests (Abasse et al. 2013;Sow et al. 2020). AF practices are greatly recognized as a mitigation strategy for reduction of methane emission from ruminating livestock due to reduction of heat stress and increase in feed quality (Dinesha et al. 2022). A study in the Sahelian savannas of West Africa reported that rising temperatures have a worsening impact on agricultural yields regardless of variations in rainfall (Sultan et al. 2013). ...
Globally, population pressure, climate change, geopolitical tensions and inflation have pushed many countries into poverty, food and nutritional insecurity, forced displacement, etc. On the other hand, changing climate is causing unusual rainfall patterns, dry spells, and deterioration of quality of the crops, and outbreaks of insects and pests, ultimately reducing crop yield. To achieve food and nutritional security in this changing climate, it is necessary to use these limited resources scientifically and efficiently such as diverse agriculture, use of climate resilient crops, etc. Therefore, climate resilient crops like millets can be incorporated in the agroforestry system to promote efficient resource management and reduce malnutrition, food insecurity, and impact of climate change. Interestingly, empirical evidence showed that the government, farmers and institutions are making efforts for sustainable land use management practices like agroforestry, climate resilient agriculture, natural farming and organic farming. This is due to lower crop failure, higher crop diversity, and efficient site utilization through tree-crop multi strata arrangements. However, in the resource-poor arid and semi-arid regions, it is crucial to select compatible tree species, suitable crop combinations, and efficient competition management techniques to effectively manage soil and water resources. In this chapter, the decision to consider India and Africa was influenced by three key features: presence of some successful Millet-based Agroforestry (MbAF) models in both the regions; millet production together accounts for 80 % of
global production; and prevalence of malnutrition despite high production.
Therefore, this chapter discusses the significance and potential of MbAF in
these areas considering the “International Year of Millets-2023”,
highlighting region-specific successful MbAF models as well as their
strengths, weaknesses, and providing recommendations to assist
policymakers in taking the necessary actions. The chapter further
recommends creating capable MbAF models to improve income and
stabilize fragile arid and semi-arid farming conditions.
... be considered for NBS implementation. Additionally, it is recognized that agroforestry favors food production, increases and enhances soil health, diminishes soil erosion [46], augments water infiltration and retention, enriches biodiversity [17], and improves livelihoods [47], among others. Also, agroecological practices such as crop rotation and intercropping, might be considered NBS that can enhance soil health, reduce erosion, and increase biodiversity [48]. ...
... As a result, India has become the world's top producer and seventhlargest exporter of millets (Meena et al., 2021). Agroforestry (AF) is a land use practice (sustainable and/or resilient) that integrates perennial large shrubs and trees with crops and livestock on farmlands and rural landscapes to enhance diversity, productivity, and agroecosystem sustainability (Dinesha et al., 2022). The combination of trees, millets, and livestock restores soil health and renews food security through closed nutrient cycling and effective resource utilization. ...
... Trees like Balanitesaegyptica,A. indica, and P. reticulatum contribute to the natural regulation of crop pests (Abasse et al., 2013;Sow et al., 2020).AF practices are greatly recognized as a mitigation strategy for reduction of methane emission from ruminating livestock due to reduction of heat stress and increase in feed quality (Dinesha et al., 2022). A study in the Sahelian savannas of West Africa reported that rising temperatures have a worsening impact on agricultural yields regardless of variations in rainfall (Sultan et al., 2013). ...
Currently, population pressure has created more demand for limited resources like land, water, and other resources. To fulfill the growing demand of food grains, it is necessary to use these limited resources scientifically and efficiently. On the other hand, changing climate is causing erratic rainfall, drought, flash flood and ultimately leads to crop failure. To address these emerging issues, millets can be incorporated in the agroforestry system to promote efficient resource management and reduce malnutrition, food insecurity, and impact of climate change. Interestingly, empirical evidence showed that farmers are switching from conventional monoculture to sustainable cultivation practices like agroforestry, climate resilient agriculture, and organic farming. This is due to higher intermittent yield, increased production, lower crop failure, higher crop diversity, and efficient site utilization through tree-crop multi strata arrangements. The compatible tree species, congruous crop combinations, and effective competition management techniques must be chosen in these resource-poor arid and semi-arid regions to effectively manage soil and water resources. In the present study, the decision to choose India and Africa was influenced by three key features: presence of some successful MbAF models in both the regions; millet production together accounts for 80 % of global production; and prevalence of malnutrition despite high production. Therefore, this article discusses the significance and potential of MbAF in these areas considering the "International Year of Millets-2023", highlighting region-specific successful MbAF models as well as their strengths, weaknesses, and providing recommendations to assist policymakers in taking the necessary actions. The study further suggests creating capable MbAF models to improve income and stabilize fragile arid and semi-arid farming conditions.
Agroforestry (AF) is a popular farming technique and a perfect scientific approach that can help to manage resources sustainably and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Using an agroforestry system (AFS) greatly increases Soil organic carbon (SOC), and in many cases, it also enhances farm diversity, microclimate, and many other factors. This happens as a result of adding suitable, deeply rooted multipurpose perennial crops to an AFS that efficiently cycles and pumps nutrients, restocking the soil. By using multidisciplinary research in AF, nanotechnology can improve crop, animal, and tree productivity in a sustainable manner. Additionally, it can help with crop post-harvest management, precise virus diagnosis, targeted pesticide delivery, and disease identification. The soil carbon (C) sequestration, tree-based nanomaterial biosynthesis, SOC, and numerous other ecological processes can also be aided by this nanotechnology-assisted AF. The production of green nanoparticles (NPs) namely iron (Fe) NPs, silver (Ag) NPs, and gold (Au) NPs from AF tree species such as Albizia adianthifolia, Emblica officianalis, Moringa oleifera, Tamarindus indica, and Terminalia chebula is becoming more significant. This can help with accessibility, dependability, safety, and sustainability issues that nanotechnology is currently facing. Through case studies, this chapter explores the benefits, challenges, and potential uses of nanotechnology in soil C sequestration in AF and other Land use systems (LUS). In addition to its notable effects on crop yield and soil characteristics, more studies can clear up doubts regarding NM's ability to tackle problems that modern-day AF faces, including problems with accuracy, volatility, phytotoxicity, and bioaccumulation.
Global agricultural systems are facing enormous challenges due to climate change, notably concerning pest control. Innovative and sustainable measures are needed to reduce the detrimental effects of climate change on agricultural production due to rising temperatures, altered precipitation patterns, and shifting insect dynamics. In the age of climate change, agroforestry, a system of land use that intentionally amalgamates the integration of trees with crops and/or livestock, has emerged as a promising method for pest control. This chapter offers a thorough examination of how agroforestry contributes to the reduction of pest pressures and the improvement of the adaptability of agricultural systems. The article summarises existing research on the ecological mechanisms by which agroforestry practices affect pest populations and investigates how these systems increase the diversity and abundance of natural enemies, offer shelter and resources to beneficial organisms, and disrupt the life cycles of pests by using a variety of cropping techniques. To fully appreciate the impact of implementing agroforestry for pest management, one must comprehend the effects of tree species selection, spatial arrangement, and management techniques on pest regulation within agroforestry systems, as well as the ecological benefits and socio-economic ramifications of doing so. In addition to the potential economic benefits of diversifying farm income through the production of tree-based goods such as timber, fruits, or medicinal plants while reducing reliance on synthetic pesticides, agroforestry should be adopted more widely. These other factors include access to technical assistance as well as policy support. As a result, agroforestry provides an interdisciplinary research avenue for the achievement of a comprehensive, sustainable, and climate-resilient pest management strategy.
