Guwahati, June 9: An ambitious agroforestry initiative that could potentially benefit more than 50,000 farmers across Northeast India is beginning to take shape, with experts, researchers and development practitioners coming together to chart a roadmap for sustainable rural growth.
The blueprint emerged from a World Environment Day round table organised by APRINS in Guwahati, where stakeholders from forestry, rural development, sustainability, livelihood promotion and community institutions deliberated on the future of agroforestry in the region.
The discussion, themed “Agro Forestry Road Map – The Gaps and the Way Ahead for NE India,” focused on addressing some of the biggest challenges facing farmers today — fragmented markets, climate uncertainty, declining land productivity and limited access to value chains.
Experts from organisations including TERI, GIZ India, NRLM-NIRDPR and SGP India highlighted the need for a coordinated ecosystem that connects farmers with technical support, market opportunities, research institutions and community-based organisations.
The proposed roadmap is expected to be implemented through Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs), Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), Fish Farmer Producer Organisations and cooperatives, creating a structured framework for scaling agroforestry practices across the region.
“Agroforestry is not just about planting trees. It is about creating resilient livelihoods, restoring ecosystems and ensuring that farmers receive long-term economic value from their land. The Northeast has enormous potential, but unlocking it will require collaboration, innovation and sustained support at every level,” said Chandan Borthakur, Managing Director of APRINS.
Participants noted that the Northeast’s rich biodiversity, favourable climate and strong community institutions provide a unique opportunity to build a farmer-centric agroforestry ecosystem capable of delivering both environmental and economic benefits.
The event also marked the inauguration of the second edition of The APRINS Post, a World Environment Day special newsletter.
APRINS said recommendations from the consultation will now be consolidated into an actionable implementation framework aimed at strengthening livelihoods, improving climate resilience and expanding sustainable farming opportunities.
If implemented successfully, the initiative could emerge as one of the region’s most significant agroforestry interventions, impacting more than 50,000 farmers while advancing the twin goals of environmental sustainability and rural prosperity.
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