Agro-Forestry in Punjab: Enhancing Climate Resilience

Punjab province faces increasing climate risks, including rising temperatures, erratic rainfall patterns, and frequent extreme weather events. According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department, Punjab has experienced an average temperature rise of 0.6°C per decade since 1990, with projections indicating further increases of 2–3°C by 2050. Additionally, rainfall variability has intensified, leading to a 15–20% increase in extreme precipitation events and prolonged drought periods. These climatic disruptions threaten agricultural output, water availability, and rural livelihoods.

Agro-forestry presents a viable solution to enhance climate resilience while sustaining agricultural productivity. Research shows that agro-forestry systems can sequester up to 9 metric tons of carbon per hectare annually, significantly contributing to greenhouse gas mitigation. Moreover, studies indicate that integrating trees into farmlands can reduce soil erosion by 30–50% and improve soil moisture retention by up to 25%. In Punjab, where 70% of the population relies on agriculture for their livelihood, such interventions can play a crucial role in ensuring long-term sustainability.

This policy brief advocates for the implementation of agro-forestry strategies and provides recommendations for policymakers, farmers, and relevant stakeholders. Agro-forestry, the integration of trees into agricultural landscapes, offers multiple benefits, including:

• Carbon sequestration: Capturing atmospheric CO₂ to mitigate climate change.

• Soil erosion prevention: Strengthening soil structure and reducing nutrient loss.

• Enhancement of soil fertility and biodiversity: Supporting beneficial organisms and improving crop yields.

• Microclimate stabilization: Regulating temperature and humidity for better crop resilience.

With 62% of Punjab’s total land area under cultivation, adopting agro-forestry techniques can significantly improve agricultural resilience, enhance rural incomes, and contribute to Pakistan’s climate change mitigation efforts. Immediate action is needed to integrate agro-forestry into provincial agricultural policies.

Policy Recommendations

To successfully implement agro-forestry in Punjab, several policy measures should be introduced to ensure its widespread adoption and long-term sustainability. Providing direct financial support to farmers through subsidies for tree seedlings, fertilizers, and technical guidance can encourage the adoption of agro-forestry practices. Additionally, offering tax breaks and incentives to those who integrate trees into their agricultural lands can further promote climate-resilient farming. Expanding agricultural extension services is crucial to equip farmers with the necessary technical skills. Training programs and model farms showcasing successful agro-forestry applications can serve as learning hubs, while investment in research on climate-resilient agro-forestry techniques will help in developing region-specific solutions.

Regulatory and institutional support must be strengthened to create an enabling environment for agro-forestry. Ensuring secure land tenure for farmers will encourage long-term investments, while policies should be enforced to prevent deforestation and promote forest restoration. Agro-forestry should also be integrated into national and provincial agricultural policies to align with broader climate resilience and rural development goals. Public-private partnerships play a critical role in fostering collaboration among government agencies, NGOs, and private sector stakeholders. Encouraging investment in agro-forestry supply chains, sustainable agricultural initiatives, and value-added forestry products can enhance economic opportunities for rural communities.

Raising public awareness and educating farmers about the benefits of agro-forestry is essential for its successful implementation. Awareness campaigns can highlight its role in mitigating climate risks, enhancing soil fertility, and improving biodiversity. Incorporating agro-forestry into school and university curricula will help build long-term knowledge and promote sustainable farming practices among future generations. A coordinated effort between policymakers, researchers, and farmers is needed to mainstream agro-forestry in Punjab, ensuring resilience against climate change while improving agricultural sustainability and rural livelihoods.

Strategic Implementation, Budgetary Requirements, and Stakeholder Collaboration

A well-structured implementation strategy is crucial to ensuring the successful adoption of agro-forestry in Punjab. Training workshops and outreach programs will be conducted to educate farmers about the environmental and economic benefits of agro-forestry. These sessions will focus on best practices, species selection, and climate-resilient farming techniques. Establishing demonstration plots in different agro-ecological zones will allow farmers to witness firsthand the advantages of integrating trees into agricultural landscapes. These plots will serve as practical learning sites, showcasing improved soil health, biodiversity conservation, and enhanced crop yields.

Financial and technical support programs will be developed to provide farmers with essential resources such as tree seedlings, fertilizers, and advisory services. Capacity-building efforts will also target extension officers and local agricultural experts to ensure they are well-equipped to guide farmers. A robust monitoring and evaluation framework will be established to track the effectiveness of agro-forestry initiatives, assess progress, and refine strategies based on real-time feedback.

A budget of PKR 9,500,000 has been allocated for this initiative, with PKR 900,000 (10%) dedicated to awareness and training, PKR 2,500,000 (20%) for capacity building, PKR 1,500,000 (15%) for demonstration farms, PKR 3,400,000 (30%) for financial support to farmers, PKR 300,000 (10%) for monitoring and evaluation, and PKR 200,000 (5%) for policy advocacy efforts.

The success of agro-forestry programs depends on collaboration among key stakeholders. Government agencies such as the Punjab Agriculture Department and the Ministry of Climate Change will provide regulatory and financial support. International organizations like FAO, World Bank, and ADB will offer technical expertise and funding. NGOs, research institutions, and private-sector companies will contribute through research, technology transfer, and supply chain investments, while farmer organizations will ensure community engagement and adoption.

Policy Messages

Agro-forestry presents a sustainable and practical solution to mitigate climate risks while ensuring long-term agricultural productivity in Punjab, Pakistan. By integrating trees with crops and livestock farming systems, agro-forestry enhances soil health, prevents erosion, and improves water retention, making farmlands more resilient to extreme weather conditions such as droughts and floods. This approach not only sequesters carbon and reduces greenhouse gas emissions but also provides farmers with additional income sources through timber, fruit, and fodder production.

To maximize the benefits of agro-forestry, integrated land-use policies should prioritize its adoption as a key strategy for environmental sustainability. Policymakers should focus on creating enabling frameworks that support agro-forestry through financial incentives, technical assistance, and regulatory measures. Strengthening land tenure security and integrating agro-forestry within broader agricultural and climate policies will encourage farmers to invest in long-term tree-based farming systems.

Public-private partnerships play a crucial role in scaling up agro-forestry practices. Governments, research institutions, private sector stakeholders, and non-governmental organizations must collaborate to provide funding, extension services, and technological support to farmers. Encouraging investment in agro-forestry supply chains, sustainable agricultural initiatives, and carbon credit programs will further drive the widespread adoption of agro-forestry, benefiting both the environment and rural economies.

Conclusion

The successful implementation of agro-forestry in Punjab has the potential to significantly enhance climate resilience, sustain agricultural productivity, and improve rural livelihoods. Given the increasing threats posed by climate change, integrating trees into agricultural landscapes offers a viable solution to mitigate environmental degradation, enhance soil fertility, and support biodiversity conservation. The adoption of agro-forestry strategies will not only help in carbon sequestration but also contribute to food security by stabilizing agricultural output in the face of erratic weather patterns.

To achieve these benefits, a coordinated effort involving government institutions, international organizations, private sector stakeholders, and local communities is essential. Financial incentives, capacity-building initiatives, and regulatory support must be provided to encourage farmers to integrate agro-forestry into their farming practices. Additionally, investment in research and extension services will ensure that farmers have access to the latest climate-resilient techniques, further enhancing the effectiveness of agro-forestry programs.

With a well-structured implementation strategy, adequate budget allocation, and strong stakeholder collaboration, agro-forestry can serve as a transformative approach to climate risk management in Punjab. Policymakers must take immediate action to mainstream agro-forestry into provincial agricultural policies, ensuring long-term environmental sustainability and economic stability for the region’s farming communities.

Please note that the views expressed in this article are of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of any organization.

The author is affiliated with Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, University of Sargodha, Sargodha, Pakistan and can be reached at rafi.qamar@uos.edu.pk

Related Stories