For Farmers · Agroforestry

Agroforestry for farmers: grow trees and crops together

Fruit and timber trees on your bunds and fields give a second and third income, better soil and shade, while your regular crops keep growing.

Up to 3× farm income through agroforestry · 85% survival, program-wide · 14 states across India

Hanmant Pawar: a profitable farm with agroforestry

Up to 3× farm income

through agroforestry

Better soil

leaf litter and roots

Government support

national policy since 2014

85% survival

program-wide

Quick answer

What is agroforestry for farmers?

Agroforestry means growing trees on the same land as your crops, on bunds, boundaries or in rows. Fruit trees give a yearly harvest and timber trees a larger income later, while the trees improve soil, shade and water. With our programmes, agroforestry can raise farm income up to 3× compared with conventional two-crop farming.

Agroforestry in IndiaShow

India adopted a National Agroforestry Policy in 2014 to promote trees on farmland.
The Sub-Mission on Agroforestry ("Har Medh Par Ped") supports farmers planting trees on their land.
In 2023 the Ministry of Environment issued model rules to make it easier to fell and sell trees grown on farmland.
ICAR-Central Agroforestry Research Institute in Jhansi researches agroforestry models for different regions.

Sources:Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare: National Agroforestry Policy, 2014 · Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare: Sub-Mission on Agroforestry (Har Medh Par Ped) · Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change: Model Rules for Felling of Trees in Agricultural Lands, 2023 · ICAR-Central Agroforestry Research Institute, Jhansi

Last reviewed: October 2026

For Farmers

Which trees to grow

We choose species with you for your soil, water and market.

Fruit trees

Mango, guava, lemon, chikoo, jackfruit and amla give a harvest every year once mature.

Timber trees

Teak, melia dubia, mahogany and other species suited to your region, grown on bunds and boundaries.

Multi-use trees

Moringa, neem and fodder trees for food, medicine and animal feed.

Matched to water

Rainfed farms get drought-hardy species; irrigated farms can grow more fruit.

For Farmers

Why farmers choose agroforestry

More income and a healthier farm.

More income

Up to 3×

Fruit and timber add to what your crops earn.

Compared with conventional two-crop farming.

Less risk

When one crop fails or prices fall, trees still earn.

Healthier soil

Leaf litter and roots add organic matter and hold soil in place.

Shade and water

Trees cut wind and heat, and help the soil hold water.

Agroforestry on real farms

Farmers show what trees changed on their land.

This Farmer Is Bringing Japan’s Famous Miyazaki Mango To India

You Won’t Believe How Farmers Protect Young Mango Trees

Why Chikoo Fits Perfectly Into Sustainable Agroforestry Models

When Farmers Grow, India Grows · Kisaan Diwas

From Farmer’s Wasteland to Green Land- Siwai, MP

How Hanmant Pawar Turned His Farm Into A Profitable Yield With Agroforestry

From Low Returns to Green Profits: The Story of Kiran Pawar and Agroforestry

Double the Income, Double the Impact: Haryana Farmer Surender’s Inspiring Agroforestry Journey

How farmers double their income with the help of Growing Billion Trees

See all films →

How to start agroforestry with us

Five steps.

Register your land
Fill in a short form or ask our field team.
Field visit
We check soil, water and crops with you.
Tree plan
Species, number of trees and layout that fit your crops.
Planting
Saplings and planting support; every tree geo-tagged.
Care and training
Care checks and training on pruning, protection and harvest.

Projects across India

Every pin is a project with its own digital forest. Filter by programme or state, or search for a company.

Pins show the approximate area of each project, not exact plot locations. Updated 2026-10-21.

Agroforestry projects

Farmland projects planted with farmers and funded by companies.

Questions from farmers

What is agroforestry?

Growing trees together with crops or livestock on the same land, so the farm earns from both.

Which trees are best for agroforestry in India?

It depends on your region, soil and water. Common choices are fruit trees such as mango, guava, lemon and chikoo, and timber trees such as teak and melia dubia.

Will trees reduce my crop yield?

Planned well, on bunds, boundaries or in wide rows, trees leave room for crops. We plan spacing and species so your crops keep growing.

How long before trees start earning?

Many fruit trees start bearing in a few years; timber trees take longer but bring a larger income at harvest.

Is there government support for agroforestry?

Yes. India has a National Agroforestry Policy (2014) and a Sub-Mission on Agroforestry, and in 2023 model rules made it easier to fell and sell farm-grown trees.

Can agroforestry earn carbon credits?

Tree projects can earn carbon credits when they follow an approved methodology and are verified, which takes several years. In our programmes, farmers earn from fruit and timber, not from carbon credits.