Agriculture

On Wednesday, Chief Minister MK Stalin unveiled the Tamil Nadu Agroforestry Policy 2026, a policy that will encourage farmers of Tamil Nadu to grow a diverse range of tree species including high value ones such as teak, sandalwood, red sanders, and rosewood. Besides that, it also focuses on making harvesting, marketing timber easier and increasing the state's forest and tree cover to 33% level.

The policy will be benefiting farmers by enabling them to raise their standards of living, promoting adoption of sustainable agroforestry methods, fulfilling the growing demand of timber and wood related products, at the same time enhancing wildlife protection and climate resilience.

A senior official told TNIE that these policy changes are aimed at easing the restrictions on farmers planting and felling valuable tree species.

In fact very harsh laws are currently in place to control the growing, felling, and transporting of valuable trees which are in the Tamil Nadu Hill Areas (Preservation of Trees) Act, 1955, Tamil Nadu Sandalwood Rules, 1967, Tamil Nadu Timber Transit Rules, 1968, Tamil Nadu Sandalwood Possession Rules, 1970, Tamil Nadu Hill Stations (Preservation of Trees) Amendment Act, 1979, and Tamil Nadu Rosewood (Conservation) Act, 1994. These will be relaxed.

“Already, three stakeholder meetings have been conducted to elicit the views of farmers and others, and the policy has been devised based on their views. The relaxation of the rules will be done at the earliest in association with the forest department,” the official said, pointing out that by bringing trees on farms into the mainstream, the policy directly empowers farmers to diversify their income streams, improve soil health, and combat climate change.

The plan is geared towards making sure that the natural environment will have the ability to adapt by encouraging the use of trees that not only improve the overall health of the soil but also effectively save water and be better able to handle changes in climate, all this in line with the targets set for environmental sustainability and integrated growth.

The paper has figured out 5 major restrictions that are adversely impacting the growth of agroforestry in Tamil Nadu: 1. There is a possibility that trees can lower the productivity of crops as they compete for light, water, and nutrients. 2. Certain species of trees can be hosts to pests and diseases that may spread to nearby crops. 3. Besides these, trees can emit known allelopathic substances that can have adverse effects on the other plants in the community. 4. Besides these, crops from tree plantations often take a longer time to mature, resulting in delayed financial returns. 5. Lastly, quick nutrient absorption by trees may lead to lesser fertility of the soil which in turn impacts the productivity of agricultural uses.

To set correct competition between trees and crops, the policy proposes research and development of suitable agroforestry models and species combinations.

The task is therefore not to give up rice but to alter the ways in which rice is produced. A very good way of doing this is to drain the paddy fields once in a while instead of always keeping them flooded. Doing so allows the soil to get oxygen and the emission of methane can be reduced by over 40 per cent while the effect on the crop yield is minimal.

Nevertheless, it is still quite tough to habituate on a large scale such nature, friendly farming methods. Besides that, agricultural systems that support subsidies and those other water wasting methods of rice cultivation contend with the problem. Considering that rice is the crop grown on more than 51 million hectares in India, the transformation of the system needs government coordination through policy changes, the support of farmers, and the contribution of scientists.

Experts say that each flooded paddy field functions like a slow and invisible exhaust pipe. With India producing roughly 150 million metric tonnes of rice annually and recently surpassing China to become the world’s largest producer, the cumulative climate impact becomes substantial.

Beyond methane emissions, rice farming also demands enormous amounts of water. Continuous flooding often drains groundwater reserves, especially in regions where irrigation systems are already under pressure. The widespread practice of monoculture—growing the same crop repeatedly on the same land—can further degrade soil health, reduce nutrients, and increase dependence on pesticides and fertilisers.

Studies tracking hundreds of paddy fields across India have found that methane emissions from rice cultivation have steadily increased over the past five decades.

Climate Change Turning Against RiceThe link between rice and climate change is a two way street. The heat that rice production partly causes is now coming back to damage the crop itself.

Changing patterns of rainfall, higher temperatures, and irregular weather events are making rice farming more and more uncertain. Climate predictions indicate that India might lose anywhere between 3 and 22 per cent of its rice production due to climate- related factors by the end of the century.

Even though drought is the main threat, too much rain can also be very harmful. When rain goes beyond a certain limit, it can ruin crops, harm roots, and decrease yields instead of helping the plants to grow.

Why Rice Is Hard to ReplaceIn spite of the environmental worries, getting rid of rice is not a simple fix. In fact, for lots of communities in India, rice is an integral part of food habits, cultural practices, and geographic identities. In certain regions, it even continues to be the cheapest and most readily available staple.

According to experts, no other crop at the moment can replace rice so effortlessly that it integrates well into cultural and dietary systems.

A Way Forward for Climate, Smart Rice

The task is therefore not to give up rice but to alter the ways in which rice is produced. A very good way of doing this is to drain the paddy fields once in a while instead of always keeping them flooded. Doing so allows the soil to get oxygen and the emission of methane can be reduced by over 40 per cent while the effect on the crop yield is minimal.

Nevertheless, it is still quite tough to habituate on a large scale such nature, friendly farming methods. Besides that, agricultural systems that support subsidies and those other water wasting methods of rice cultivation contend with the problem. Considering that rice is the crop grown on more than 51 million hectares in India, the transformation of the system needs government coordination through policy changes, the support of farmers, and the contribution of scientists.

India's Long Standing Food Item

Rice has been majorly responsible for India's food over the years but the climate change is bringing a new angle on production of this major cereal. If sustainable farming and policy reforms do not happen in time, the very grain that will feed the multitudes could be the one that nearly falls under food insecurity.

In such a case, rice would gradually become something other than a typical staple; it might even become a luxury for some households. Considering that rice is deeply integrated into the culture as well as the diet of a country, the consequences could be quite severe.

Varanasi has entered the Guinness World Records by planting 2,51,446 saplings within one hour during a mega plantation drive at the Sujabad Domari area on Sunday, surpassing China’s 2018 record of 1,53,981 saplings.

The record was confirmed by Guinness World Records adjudicator Rishinath after verification through drone surveillance and a digital counting system. The certificate was presented to Mayor Ashok Kumar Tiwari and Municipal Commissioner Himanshu Nagpal at the site.

The UP government, in a statement, informed that the plantation was made over almost 350 bighas, developed as an urban forest through the coordination between the Varanasi Municipal Corporation and various government departments, institutions, and social organizations.

The forest was separated into 60 sectors, each sector was named after the famous ghats of Kashi like Dashashwamedh, Manikarnika, Kedar, and Lalita. In each sector more than 4, 000 saplings were planted.

Officers stated that the work included 27 native species like sheesham, Arjun, teak, and bamboo, along with the fruit, bearing trees such as mango, guava, and papaya, and medicinal plants like ashwagandha, shatavari, and giloy were also planted.

“The miyawaki technique has been used to enable dense and faster growth, and the area is expected to develop into a dense green cover within two to three years,” an official said.

The campaign saw participation from personnel of the Indian Army, NDRF, CRPF, Civil Defence and the Provincial Armed Constabulary, along with teams from the Forest and Agriculture departments, Namami Gange, DUDA, and the Municipal Corporation. Thousands of students, NCC cadets, and NSS volunteers from local educational institutions also took part.

To ensure survival of the saplings, a 10.8-km pipeline network has been laid, supported by 10 borewells and 360 rain gun systems for irrigation, the government said.

Officials said the project is likely to create revenue for the Municipal Corporation through the terms of an agreement with a private agency, and income is estimated to start from year three.

Mayor Ashok Kumar Tiwari mentioned that the move shows Kashi's dedication to environment conservation and at the same time, they rolled out their ecological objectives along with economic planning for the long term.

The Tripura government has taken some specialised steps to increase the production of flowers. They are reacting to the significant increase in flower demand that has been noticed since 2018, 19, the agriculture and farmers welfare minister Ratan Lal Nath said.

Farmers have been receiving reasonable prices for flowers in local markets for the last seven years. This has resulted in more people taking up floriculture.

Nath, while talking about Indias progress in the field of floriculture, stated that India is the second largest flower grower in the world. However, in rice production, it has surpassed China to become the first.

According to him, flower cultivation is a profitable business, and even if it cannot be practically deployed everywhere, it is capable of generating a good income.

People of Bishalgarh, which is a place that had been dependent mainly on raising vegetables for a long time, are now shifting to flower farming as it is more profitable.

The states efforts are focused on making people self, reliant and creating plenty of employment opportunities.

Besides being a source of income, flowers can be turned into a variety of products like Holi colours, medicines, and perfumes, as they have a high demand in the market.

The minister said Tripura’s natural advantages for floriculture, including fertile soil, sufficient rainfall and a subtropical climate, make the state highly promising for growing diverse varieties of flowers. Traditional blooms such as marigold, gladiolus and rose dominate conventional floriculture markets in Tripura.

Further advancements have enabled the state to join the ranks of high-tech floriculture regions. Flowers like anthurium, orchid and gerbera are now being cultivated on conserved farmland using advanced methods.

Area under cultivation for local flowers like marigold, gladiolus and rose has increased by 60% since 2018, 19. Overall, traditional flower farming has seen a remarkable 332% growth over seven years, while high-tech floriculture has increased by 124%.

Designed as an attraction for flower enthusiasts, the facility will provide high-quality and cost-effective saplings to meet demand while also offering training opportunities for aspiring floriculturists. In the years ahead, the centre is expected to advance Tripura’s position in flower production across India.

Farm work matters more than just growing food. With India moving toward a developed nation, thinking about crops needs to shift. Not only output counts, but also how young people see farming as a job. Besides yields, caring for soil and water plays a big role. Over time, strong rural economies depend on choices made today. Looking ahead means balancing growth with lasting practices.

Farming with trees isn't just about growing food, it opens doors for students, young people in villages, and those already working in agriculture. Yet, schools must step up, teaching these methods like any core subject, or much gets lost.

Years went by, yet classrooms kept teaching field crops almost every time. Trees on farms? Usually tucked away inside forest studies, hardly ever seen as real farm work or a business path worth taking. Because schools split these ideas apart, learners missed chances to see how trees could help both money and nature thrive together.

Still, the field stretches wide. Where farming meets forest work connects soil care with weather patterns, business transport, country startups, timber uses, plus advice on long, term resource balance. Not just dropping seeds into ground, instead shaping working landscapes that earn income while handling extreme seasons. How food grows ties to roots underground and markets far away. Each choice affects profit margins alongside carbon levels in air.

Maybe treating agroforestry like a real job option will shift how farming schools train students for new country livelihoods.

Farm trees aren't just about growing plants, says Manoj Dabas of CIFOR, ICRAF India, they open doors through learning, spark jobs in villages, lift local timber supply, while quietly firming up defenses against shifting weather patterns across wide areas.

Expanding Access to Academic and Skill Development Programs

Few jobs might appear where farming meets trees inside classrooms. Training schools could start shaping skills when agriculture blends with forestry studies. Diploma courses may shift if tree, crop systems enter the curriculum. New work paths tend to follow what colleges choose to teach well.

From nursery care to handling timber flows, training focused on land, use choices builds workers ready for farm needs. Moving through carbon markets or shaping wood products, learning these paths fits people for real tasks in growing and making things. Instead of just theory, hands on know how to link forests to factories.

Farm science centers along with local farming support networks might grow this system through skill courses and official recognition for tree, crop methods that match area, specific environments. These efforts could strengthen growers while building a base of skilled helpers, guidance providers, and village, based business builders.

RURAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Out in the countryside, jobs that arent tied to farming get a boost from agroforestry. Training youth in how to dry timber, sort it by quality, work it into finished pieces, or build basic furniture opens new paths. Local processing means more value stays close to home. That keeps money circulating nearby while giving folks less reason to leave. Rural life holds tighter when opportunity grows right where people live.

Farming trees alongside crops might spark fresh interest when seen as a business move. Not just planting seeds but building something real could draw young people back to village life. Looking at dirt and saplings differently turns fields into futures. Instead of old routines, imagine income growing from mixed forests on farmland. A chance to earn while shaping land anew pulls energy toward soil instead of cities.

Courses and Academic Pathways in Agroforestry

Starting out in agroforestry? More colleges across India now offer clear courses that mix classroom learning with hands, on practice. Not just theory, real work matters too. Schools focused on farming and nature are opening doors. Step by step, the path gets clearer for those who want to grow into this field.

Fresh out of high school, learners might pick a BSc in Agriculture, dive into Forestry studies, or go for a BTech focused on farm machinery and systems, each path opening doors to niche topics like growing trees alongside crops, caring for soil long, term, even farming methods built for shifting weather patterns.

A step beyond undergrad, programs like MSc Agroforestry or MSc Forestry build deep expertise while weaving in real world decision making and innovation. Alongside them, MSc Climate Science and MSc Environmental Management sharpen understanding of ecological systems through practical governance lenses. Meanwhile, an MBA in Agri, Business Management blends field, specific insight with strategic planning shaped by market dynamics. Each path opens doors not just to specialization, but also to influence how land and resources are guided into the future.

In addition, diploma and certification programmes in:

• Nursery and plantation management
• Timber grading and wood technology
• Carbon accounting and climate finance
• Sustainable land-use planning
• Farm-based enterprise development
• Can equip rural youth and professionals with industry-relevant, employment-oriented skills.

Institutions such as agricultural universities, Krishi Vigyan Kendras, forestry research institutes, and skill development centres can play a critical role in formalising these pathways. Short-term certification courses in carbon credit systems, farm forestry models, and wood value chain management can further bridge the gap between theory and practice.

EDUCATION AS THE FOUNDATION OF VIKSIT BHARAT

India's agricultural successes have historically been education-led. The Green Revolution demonstrated that when scientific knowledge is systematically disseminated, transformation follows. Agroforestry requires a similar institutional push, one that integrates curriculum reform, vocational training, market literacy, and sustainability education.

If Viksit Bharat is to be economically strong, environmentally resilient, and employment-rich, agroforestry must move from the margins of policy discussions to the mainstream of career planning and academic design.

Teaching students that trees are not just environmental assets, but economic assets may well be one of the most strategic investments India can make in its rural future.

The involvement of the Big Tech Giants in farming will pose a risk to farmers and food sustainability, warns a report from the International Panel of Experts on Sustainable Food Systems (IPES, Food).

According to the report, major technology companies like Amazon, Microsoft, Google, and Alibaba are utilizing Artificial Intelligence (AI) in ways that deeply influence food production, which results in farmers being over, indebted, dependent, and exposed to climate risks.

IPES, Food is a global think tank that sets the agenda and helps pave the way for sustainable food systems worldwide. It carries out research into political economy, nutrition, climate change, ecology, agronomy, agroecology, and economics, as well as being politically active.

The publication "Head In The Cloud" demonstrates how the tech giants command the financing and policy space while they get a massive amount of public money and at the same time, they tear down the initiatives that would give the farmers more control over their means of production and sustainability.

The study shows that industrial agriculture is progressively being designed around data- driven precision tools that are the results of collaborations between Big Tech and Big Agro. Such capital intensive models typically need large upfront investments, thus, the financial risks of the farmers are increased, and the smaller scale producers are marginalized.

Furthermore, the report indicates that this data, heavy systems use great amounts of energy, minerals, and water resources, confine agriculture to high input monocultures, and thus raise the impact of climate hazards.

Big Tech companies are leveraging AI and cloud based systems to guide crop and input decisions. In reality, this implies that the farming decisions are largely influenced by proprietary algorithms which are not transparent and accountable, thus, the farmers are being deprived of their knowledge and decision making autonomy.

At the same time, the companies are gathering data from farms to increase their profits, thus the farmers are losing control and ownership of their own information.

Consequently, only a few tech companies are becoming extraordinarily powerful in dictating the way food is being and will be produced, states the report.

The report calls for a just, resilient, and sustainable food system to deal with the challenges of climate change and global instability.

According to experts from IPES, Food, the path to a fair and sustainable food system involves changing the ones who control innovation, the ones who benefit from it, and also rethinking what we call innovation initially.