Revitalization of Rivers in India Draft Policy - Isha Guru Jaggi Vasudev

Revitalization of Rivers In India
Draft Policy Recommendation
Crop diversification means that even if some crop yields are poor in a given year,
other crops may be producing well. In this way, farmers manage the risk, and food
and income keep coming, even considering hurricanes, droughts etc. Biodiversity
can create reservoirs for beneficial insects and other organisms that help with
pest control. The deep root systems of trees move water from deep to shallower
soils and vice versa in a process called hydraulic lift. This can make water available
for adjacent shallower-rooted annual crops in agroforestry systems, though trees
compete for water. With annual crops and livestock, breeding climate-hardy
species is an important adaptation strategy that reduces climate risks. Integrating
livestock and crop production is also important, including feeding livestock
with crop residues and utilizing manure as fertilizer. Managed grazing increases
vegetation cover and improves soil organic matter content and water filtration.
Silvopasture has many adaptation benefits, from cooling pastures and livestock to
windbreak and erosion control.
AGROFORESTRY AND PERENNIAL CROPS
The World Agroforestry Centre defines agroforestry as “a dynamic, ecologicallybased,
natural resources management system that, through the integration
of trees on farms and in the agricultural landscape, diversifies and sustains
production for increased social, economic, and environmental benefits for land
users at all levels. Agroforestry sequesters significant carbon and is more than the
random incorporation of trees on farms; it is “intentional, intensive, integrated,
and interactive.”
Agroforestry has been divided into three broad classifications for the purpose of
discussion. The first is tree intercropping systems, which integrate trees or other
woody plants with annual crops to have better sequestration. This includes alley
cropping and contour hedgerows, windbreaks, evergreen agriculture, and other
practices.
The second classification is silvopastoral systems, which integrate trees or other
woody plants with livestock and pasture understory.
The third classification is multistrata agroforestry systems, which consist solely
of perennials or integrate trees or other woody plants with annual crops and
livestock. This includes tropical homegardens and woody agriculture.
Annexures
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