Scaling agroforestry for climate change mitigation and sustainable agricultural intensification in South Asia

Abstract

The climate crisis poses significant challenges to agricultural productivity, ecosystem stability and rural livelihoods, particularly in climate-vulnerable regions such as Bangladesh. Agroforestry, as an integrated land-use system, offers a viable pathway for climate change mitigation and sustainable agricultural intensification. This study presents a narrative synthesis of peer-reviewed literature (2004–2026) and recent policy documents to assess the multifunctional role of agroforestry in climate change mitigation and sustainable agricultural intensification, with a focus on South Asia. Findings indicate that agroforestry systems improve crop yields (by up to 6–56%), enhance soil fertility, regulate microclimates, and significantly increase carbon sequestration compared to conventional monocropping. In addition to environmental benefits, agroforestry contributes to income diversification through tree domestication and non-timber forest products (NTFPs), thereby supporting livelihood resilience and reducing yield gaps. Evidence from South Asia highlights its role in improving food, fodder and nutritional security while strengthening adaptive capacity to climate variability. The review concludes that agroforestry is a multifunctional strategy that simultaneously delivers environmental sustainability, economic viability and social resilience. Scaling its adoption requires targeted policies, strengthened extension services and improved market linkages for agroforestry products to fully realize its potential in addressing climate change and promoting sustainable rural development.