Agroforestry practiced on small family farms can deliver major climate benefits while strengthening rural livelihoods, according to a nine-year study conducted by scientists from the Indian Council of Agricultural Research in eastern India. The research shows that even a one-acre farm, when designed carefully with trees and crops together, can act as a powerful carbon sink without compromising food production.
The study was carried out in Odisha’s Eastern Ghats, a region increasingly affected by erratic monsoons, intense rainfall, soil erosion and rising crop failures. These climate stresses have worsened food insecurity and livelihood risks, especially for tribal communities dependent on rain-fed agriculture. Researchers worked directly with 15 farmers to develop and monitor a one-acre agroforestry model that integrates fruit and multipurpose trees with traditional crops.
Carbon capture on a single acre
Scientists from ICAR’s Indian Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, along with partners from Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology and the non-profit Agragamee, found that one-acre agroforestry farms sequestered up to 154.5 megagrams of carbon dioxide equivalent over nine years. This level of carbon storage was achieved while farmers continued growing paddy, millets, pulses and vegetables, showing that climate mitigation and food security can progress together.
The long-term data, published in the journal Frontiers in Agronomy confirms that smallholder agroforestry systems can significantly improve soil health, store carbon in tree biomass and soils, and provide steady income to farming households.
The study revealed that the position of farms on hill slopes strongly influenced carbon performance. Lower slope farms recorded the highest carbon stocks because they retain more moisture and nutrients carried down from higher elevations. These plots supported denser tree growth, with an average of 82 trees per acre, taller tree heights and wider crown spread.
As a result, lower slope farms sequestered about 73.1 megagrams of carbon dioxide per acre. In contrast, upper slope farms faced greater erosion and water runoff, leading to slower tree growth and lower sequestration of around 27.2 megagrams of carbon dioxide per acre. Researchers noted that this insight is crucial for planning agroforestry interventions in hilly and tribal regions.
Tree choices that support both climate and income
The research team tested 12 locally suitable tree species selected for their ecological value and economic potential. Fruit and multipurpose trees such as mango and cashew emerged as the most effective, offering both high carbon storage and reliable income.
Farmers earned between Rs 1.1 lakh and Rs 1.13 lakh annually from their integrated farms. Mango yields reached over 26 quintals per farmer in some villages, while cashew production remained stable across locations. Importantly, adding trees did not reduce crop yields, helping farmers maintain food security while diversifying income sources.
Beyond direct farm income, the study estimated the potential for carbon credit earnings. At current voluntary market rates, the carbon sequestered by one acre over nine years could translate into more than Rs 2.5 lakh in carbon credits, although researchers cautioned that actual returns would depend on market conditions and certification processes.
The agroforestry systems also generated broader environmental benefits, releasing over 112 megagrams of oxygen per acre during the study period and improving ecosystem resilience in climate-stressed landscapes.
The findings support India’s climate goals under the Paris Agreement, which aim to create an additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes. The study shows that scaling up smallholder-led agroforestry, especially in vulnerable regions like the Eastern Ghats, can make a meaningful contribution to national climate targets while improving rural incomes and resilience.
Researchers conclude that agroforestry-based eco-village models, which integrate trees, crops and livestock, offer a practical and people-centred solution for climate adaptation and mitigation. With the right policy support, such models can help small farms deliver big climate gains.