Agroforestry carbon credits in India: an out-of-the-box pathway for forest resilience and rural livelihoods

Title : Agroforestry carbon credits in India: an out-of-the-box pathway for forest resilience and rural livelihoods

Abstract:

This work introduces the design and implementation of an agroforestry-based carbon credit system tailored for smallholder farmers in India. By embedding tree–crop systems within fragmented agricultural mosaics, agroforestry significantly increases soil organic carbon(SOC) stocks and above-ground biomass sequestration, while also diversifying and stabilizing household incomes. A robust methodology has been developed to quantify, monitor, and verify carbon sequestration from these systems, ensuring credibility in voluntary carbon markets. The methodology incorporates baseline assessments, stratified field sampling, allometric biomass equations, and conservative uncertainty deductions, thereby aligning with international standards of Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV). Pilot interventions across six districts of the Indo-Gangetic Plains involving 450 farmers and ~1,200 hectares of farmland demonstrated a 25-35% increase in SOC over a three-year monitoring period, equivalent to an additional 2.1-2.8 tCO?e ha?¹ yr?¹ . These results confirm both environmental integrity and socioeconomic co-benefits. Beyond on-farm benefits, agroforestry also provides critical support for forest landscapes. By reducing extraction pressure on natural forests for fuel, fodder, and timber, agroforestry systems act as buffer zones that stabilize forest edges and enhance connectivity between fragmented habitats. This not only strengthens biodiversity conservation but also reduces degradation risks in protected areas. Agroforestry therefore complements traditional forestry by creating a mosaic of productive and resilient landscapes that simultaneously meet rural livelihood needs and forest conservation goals. Collectively, this work positions agroforestry- based carbon mechanisms as a pioneering framework for redefining forestry research, practice, and climate action in India.
Keywords: Carbon Credits, Agroforestry, Climate Resilience, Rural Livelihoods, Indo-Gangetic Plains

Biography:

Dr. Garima Mishra, Ph.D. in Forest Genetics from the Forest Research Institute (Deemed to be University), Dehradun (India), with research expertise in agroforestry, forest genetic diversity, regeneration dynamics, and climate-linked conservation strategies. Her doctoral work focused on Shorea robusta forests in Uttarakhand, integrating molecular, morphological, and geospatial approaches. She has professional experience as a Senior Analyst at the Mangrove Foundation of India and as a Research Fellow at FRI, contributing to carbon/NbS agroforestry projects, MRV systems, and peer-reviewed publications in reputed journals. She has authored multiple research papers and book chapters and has received several awards, including UGC-NET JRF qualification, Best Presentation and Best Poster awards, and international travel grants from DST-SERB, UCOST, and Wellcome Connecting Sciences. She aims to bridge ecological research with practical conservation and policy applications. She is actively seeking opportunities for international collaboration, knowledge exchange, and capacity building in forest and environmental sciences.