CARBON SEQUESTRATION POTENTIAL OF AGROFORESTRY INTERVENTIONS IN RICE-WHEAT CROPPING SYSTEMS

Abstract

The escalating challenge of climate change necessitates agricultural systems that balance productivity with environmental sustainability. This study investigates the potential of integrating agroforestry practices into rice-wheat cropping systems as a strategy to enhance carbon sequestration, improve ecosystem services, and strengthen farmer livelihoods. Through a comprehensive secondary data analysis and literature synthesis, eight agroforestry models were evaluated across ecological and socio-economic parameters including above- and below-ground carbon stocks, soil organic carbon (SOC), crop yield response, water use efficiency (WUE), erosion control, income diversification, and adoption feasibility. Results indicate that silvopasture systems achieved the highest carbon sequestration potential (~34 Mg CO₂-eq ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹), while alley cropping excelled in crop yield enhancement (~18%) and homegardens led in SOC enrichment and water conservation. Mixed systems, incorporating multiple tree and crop species, demonstrated superior income diversification but required higher initial investment. Visual data from ten figures supported these findings, highlighting the trade-offs and synergies among different models. Erosion reduction was highest in windbreak systems (up to 58%), whereas homegardens and silvopasture exhibited greater resilience under drought scenarios. Socio-economic barriers to adoption, including labor intensity and capital cost, underscore the need for supportive policies such as subsidies, technical assistance, and market integration. The study concludes that context-specific agroforestry models—grounded in ecological suitability and farmer-centric design—can significantly contribute to climate mitigation, food security, and rural development in rice-wheat dominated regions. Agroforestry thus represents a viable and scalable solution to promote climate-resilient agriculture.