International Journal of Agriculture Extension and Social Development

author(s)
Nishikant Krishan, Yamini Baghe, Amit Dixit, Pushpraj Khare and Roopa Dhumketu

abstract
Agroforestry has long been a cornerstone of rural livelihoods in India, providing food, fuel, fodder, timber, and ecosystem services. Yet, the gendered dimensions of agroforestry remain insufficiently explored, even as women play critical roles in sustaining and innovating these systems. This review synthesizes literature published between 2005 and 2025 to examine the opportunities and barriers for women’s empowerment through agroforestry in India. The findings reveal that women are deeply engaged in nursery management, seed selection, fuelwood and fodder collection, and the preservation of local agro-biodiversity, but their contributions are often invisible in policy and market frameworks. Opportunities for empowerment include income diversification through non-timber forest products and tree-based enterprises, enhanced leadership via self-help groups and farmer producer organizations, and strengthened ecological stewardship in climate-smart agriculture. However, persistent barriers such as patriarchal norms, insecure land tenure, gender-blind extension services, limited access to credit and markets, and weak institutional mechanisms constrain women’s agency and benefits. Policy and program evidence suggests that capacity building, secure land and tree tenure, inclusive financing, women-led producer collectives, and gender-responsive policy design can significantly enhance outcomes. The review highlights future prospects in integrating agroforestry with climate-smart agriculture and carbon markets, while underscoring research gaps in longitudinal, sex-disaggregated data and intersectional analyses. Ultimately, promoting women’s empowerment through agroforestry is not only essential for gender equity but also critical for sustainable rural development, climate resilience, and biodiversity conservation in India.