Shrikant Sahu, Ph.D. Scholar, Department of Vegetable Science,
Mahatma Gandhi Udyaniki evam Vaniki Vishwavidyalaya, Durg (C.G.)


Abstract
The coupling of horticulture and forestry is becoming more widely accepted as a sustainable approach to meeting climate change challenges, conserving biodiversity, and ensuring livelihoods. While horticulture is involved in food and nutritional security in the form of high-value produce, forestry is involved in ecosystem services and long-term resources such as timber, fodder, and non-timber forest products. Combining the two, they create resilient systems that improve productivity, increase income diversification, and rehabilitate degraded lands. This paper presents a review of recent trends in horticulture cum forest management based on latest data and case studies from India and elsewhere. Successes, challenges, and future thrust areas are identified to reinforce this interdisciplinary approach.

Keywords: Agroforestry, Forest management, Climate resilience, Horticulture, Carbon sequestration, Livelihood security

Introduction
Horticulture and forestry have often been considered as distinct fields, but the past decades have emphasized the importance of their convergence. Horticulture takes up merely around 13% of cropped area in India but accounts for more than 33% of agricultural GDP (NHB, 2023). Meanwhile, forests ensure ecological security to almost 275 million Indians who rely directly or indirectly on them for living (FAO, 2022).

India's horticulture production hit an all-time high of 367.72 million tonnes in 2024-25, a growth of 3.66% over 2023-24 (Financial Express, 2025). It is comprised of vegetables at 219.67 million tonnes and fruits at 114.51 million tonnes, with both exhibiting robust demand and supply growth. It is this kind of fast growth that speaks volumes about the potential of horticulture when harvested through forest systems in degraded lands and tribal regions.

Thus, horticulture cum forest management is a holistic practice that guarantees short-term rewards (vegetables, fruits, medicinal crops) and long-term returns (carbon sequestration, timber, biodiversity services).

Innovative Trends and Practices

1. Agroforestry and Horti silviculture Systems:

Example: Mango–teak based systems in central India offer annual fruit production and teak offers timber after 15–20 years.

ICAR-Central Agroforestry Research Institute has reported that aonla-based agroforestry enhanced soil organic carbon by 24%

2. Climate-Smart Horti-Forestry Models:

Example: Ber (Ziziphus mauritiana) intercropped with acacia in Bundelkhand resists drought, providing fruit, fodder, and firewood.

3. Medicinal and Aromatic Plant Integration:

Example: In Madhya Pradesh, ashwagandha-planted degraded forest lands under neem boosted farmers' income by 30–40%.

4. Urban Forestry and Horticulture:

Example: Bengaluru is implementing Miyawaki forests with fruiting species like guava and papaya, enhancing biodiversity.

5. Precision and Digital Technology:

Example: In Kerala, GIS mapping of cashew plantations along forest belts enhanced pest and disease monitoring.

6. Value Addition and NTFPs:

Example: For Chhattisgarh, tribal women were employed in processing mahua flowers into syrup and chocolates.

Accomplishments

1. Income generation: Livelihood improvement: Mango-cashew based agroforestry doubled tribal household incomes.

2. Restoration of soil fertility: Fruit tree integration in Jhansi stimulated microbial activity and organic matter.

3. Urban ecosystem benefits: Delhi’s horti-forestry improved green cover.

4. Growth in production: India's horticultural production grew by 3.6% during 2024-25.

Challenges

1. Priority given to quick-return crops limits adoption of Horti-forestry.

2. Not sustainable harvesting of medicinal plants.

3. Fragmented horticulture and forestry policies.

4. Weak value chains for NTFPs.

Future thrust Areas

1. Developing stress-tolerant fruit and forest crops.

2. Carbon trading for agroforestry-based horticulture.

3. Policy integration of horticulture and forestry missions.

4. Urban horti-forestry for sustainable city planning.

5. Blockchain traceability for horticultural-forest products.

Conclusion
Horticulture along with forest management is an important approach towards sustainable land use. By integrating horticultural productivity with the ecological roles of forestry, these systems provide food, income, biodiversity, and climate resilience. With the horticulture production of India now exceeding 367 million tonnes during 2024-25, there is huge scope for growth when coupled with forestry models. Scientific innovation, policy support, and participation by people will be needed for future advances.

References

Chavan, S. B., et al. (2021). Fruit tree-based agroforestry systems for livelihood and environmental security. Current Science, 120(4), 664–672.

FAO. (2022). The state of the world’s forests 2022. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. https://doi.org/10.4060/cb9360en

Financial Express. (2025). India’s horticulture output rises 3.7% to 367.72 million tonnes in 2024–25. The Financial Express. https://www.financialexpress.com

ICAR. (2025). Integrated farming systems and climate resilience. Indian Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 95(3), 287–298.

Kumar, R., & Singh, H. P. (2022). Climate-smart horticulture for resilience and sustainability. Indian Journal of Horticulture, 79(3), 287–296.

Nair, P. K. R. (2021). Agroforestry: Contributions to Sustainable Development Goals. Agroforestry Systems, 95(5), 901–917. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10457-021-00668-6

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