Sericulture-based agroforestry systems in India: Farming models for Economic and environmental sustainability

Abstract

Sericulture-based agroforestry systems represent an integrated land-use strategy that combines silk production with sustainable agro based forestry, offering ecological and economic benefits across diverse Indian landscapes. This review explores the potential of combining sericulture with agroforestry models involving mulberry, tasar, eri, and muga silkworms. These systems enable the integration of host trees with food crops, fruit trees, and fodder grasses, enhancing soil fertility, biodiversity, and carbon sequestration while diversifying farm incomes. This paper highlights successful cases in the Indian context to review the models' broader replicability. With appropriate policy support, research-based innovations, and participatory adoption strategies, sericulture-based agroforestry can significantly contribute to rural resilience, environmental sustainability, and climate-adaptive agriculture.