Soil productivity management and socio-economic development through agro-forestry in North-East India

About 80% of the people of north-east India are directly or indirectly concerned with agriculture. Farmers, in this region, are generally small holders and thus, an attempt with agroforestry practices can result an increase in their earnings without endangering the fragile ecosystem. So far as geographical location and socio-cultural behaviour of the people of north-eastern states of India are concerned, the agroforestry models those have edge over other systems include- Agri-Silviculture (crops + trees), Agri-Horticulture (crops + fruit trees), Silvi-Pasture (trees + fodder crops), Horti-Pasture (fruit trees + fodder crops), Agri-Horti-Silviculture (crops + fruit trees + trees) and Homestead Agroforestry systems. The role of agroforestry systems in ecosystem management and socio-economic development of the people of NE India is described in this article.