India’s new agroforestry model rules are a quiet revolution — if states join in

The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has quietly introduced a potentially transformative policy for Indian agriculture and forestry — the Model Rules for Felling Trees on Agricultural Land. At first glance, it may seem like a bureaucratic update. In reality, it is a significant move that could rewire how we grow trees in India — not in forests, but on farms. These model rules aim to make agroforestry — the practice of growing trees alongside crops — easier, more profitable, and more widespread. If adopted well by States, they could unlock income for farmers, reduce pressure on natural forests, and help India meet its climate and biodiversity goals. But like many progressive policies in India, their success hinges on one word: implementation.

Why Agroforestry Matters More Than Ever

India is one of the world’s largest importers of timber, with annual imports exceeding ₹20,000 crore (~$2.4 billion). Meanwhile, millions of farmers grapple with degraded soils, shrinking farm returns, and rising climate risks. Agroforestry offers a way out — a low-cost, climate-resilient practice that diversifies income, restores soil health, increases water retention, and provides biodiversity habitats — all without demanding farmers to give up food crops. Yet, despite its many benefits, agroforestry adoption has remained patchy. One major barrier? Red tape. In many States, felling even a farm-grown tree requires multiple permissions, transit permits, and site inspections. Farmers often choose not to plant trees simply to avoid future harassment. That’s the gap these new Model Rules aim to fill.

What the New Rules Propose

They aim to streamline procedures around tree farming and timber harvesting on private agricultural land, while preserving traceability and regulatory oversight. Farmers can register their plantations through a centralized National Timber Management System (NTMS) portal (under development), uploading basic details including geotagged images, land ownership documents, and species information. When trees are ready to harvest, the same portal will facilitate online applications for felling, enabling transparency and reducing physical touchpoints. Most importantly, the rules promote self-declaration and digital traceability over bureaucratic inspections — a long overdue shift in a system still rooted in forest policing. However, the responsibility for implementation rests with the State Level Committees under the Wood-Based Industries Guidelines of 2016, reinforcing that the rules are to be adapted and owned by the States.

Win for Livelihoods, Soil, Forests, and Markets

The potential ripple effects of these reforms are far-reaching. Economically, tree farming offers a new income stream for farmers, especially in rainfed or degraded regions. Ecologically, it enhances tree cover on agricultural lands, easing pressure on natural forests. From a market standpoint, it can reduce India’s timber import bill — over Rs 20,000 crore annually — and support domestic wood-based industries with reliable, local raw material. Climate-wise, the benefits are just as compelling. Trees sequester carbon, regulate microclimates, and offer natural buffers against floods, droughts, and heatwaves. When well-managed, agroforestry can serve as a climate adaptation strategy for millions of smallholders, all while supporting India’s land restoration and biodiversity targets.

The Role of States: Catalyst or Bottleneck?

However, there’s a catch. The Model Rules are just that — model rules. Forests are a State subject under the Constitution, and States are not obligated to adopt them. In practice, the impact of this policy will depend on how quickly and effectively each State integrates the rules into their own regulatory systems. States will need to notify these rules, align local processes, and build the digital and institutional infrastructure to make them work on the ground. Some States — like Haryana, Karnataka, and Maharashtra — already have experience with farmer-friendly tree felling norms. Others may need time to recalibrate legacy systems. Much will also depend on the readiness of the NTMS portal and the ease with which it can be used by farmers, especially in low-connectivity or non-English-speaking regions. For States, this is not just a regulatory change — it is an opportunity to enable a new category of green livelihoods that combines ecological restoration with economic opportunity.

India Among Global Front-Runners

Globally, very few countries have created regulatory frameworks specifically to ease tree farming on private land. India’s model rules place it among a small but growing group of agroforestry policy innovators. In Kenya, agroforestry is central to the country’s climate-smart agriculture strategy, with simplified permissions for felling farm-grown trees and incentives linked to restoration goals. In Ethiopia, participatory forest management initiatives are blended with agroforestry programs, giving farmers legal rights and long-term tenure security when they grow trees on community and private lands. India’s approach — with digital systems, uniform protocols, and State-level ownership — is arguably among the most comprehensive. It signals a shift in mindset: from viewing trees as the domain of forest departments to seeing them as assets for farmers.

Looking Ahead

As the rules enter the public domain, what happens next will determine whether they remain a well-intentioned document or become a catalyst for change. Timely and enthusiastic adoption by States — particularly those with large rainfed belts or forest-fringe communities — could set the tone. Capacity-building for local forest officials, collaboration with farmer producer organisations (FPOs), and awareness campaigns in regional languages will be key to ensuring that farmers not only understand the new process, but feel confident enough to act on it. Above all, the digital infrastructure — the NTMS — needs to be built for the user it is meant to serve: the small and marginal farmer.

A Policy Worth Rooting For

India’s Model Agroforestry Rules reflect a pragmatic, forward-looking vision of rural development — one where trees are not viewed as obstacles but as allies. If implemented well, they could help grow incomes, grow forests, and grow resilience — all from the same piece of land. In the climate-stressed, resource-constrained future we’re heading toward, that kind of integration is not just desirable. It’s essential.

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