Design and structure of human-capacity building programmes to scale-up agroforestry adoption by smallholders and generate livelihood support

Diffusion of agroforestry technologies on farm-lands has not reached to the desired level globally and there is a call for effective extension programmes targeting smallholder farmers. Among various approaches of extension aimed at increasing adoption of agroforestry technologies by smallholders, the education and training remains the core activity. There is a vital need to enrich knowledge and skills of personnel involved at different levels of planning and execution of agroforestry schemes to provide more substantive basis for effective implementation. The present paper discusses current scenario of agroforestry options, drivers of adoption, target groups, and design and structure of training modules to address critical knowledge gaps and meeting expectations of stakeholders. The organizations involved in disseminating agroforestry knowledge through process of adult learning require to identify various stakeholders and design need-based capacity building programmes after giving due considerations to bio-physical resources and socio-economic status. The catalytic role of liberalized provisions in felling of farm-trees and their transit in accordance with Agroforestry Policy-2014 needs to be highlighted. The efforts in the form of organizing various trainings and undertaking other HRD activities for effective transfer of agroforestry technologies among its stakeholders by ICAR-CAFRI have increased adoption of different elements of watershed-based agroforestry interventions viz. field bunding, planting of teak, Acacia senegal, fruit plants, perennial pastures/grasses and high yielding crop varieties in project areas and other individual holdings in Bundelkhand region of semi-arid central India. Now, the farmers are maintaining multiple portfolios of their farm-lands that reduces vulnerability and augments resilience to climate change. Experiences indicated that properly designed and well-structured training capsules for different emerging agroforestry options and related small enterprises that support rural livelihoods are keys to scale-up agroforestry adoption among smallholders.