Under the Resource Access and Equity programme, Development Alternatives successfully concluded a comprehensive 15-day Agroforestry Plantation Drive across 95 village clusters in Jhansi district of Uttar Pradesh and Niwari district of Madhya Pradesh. The initiative marks a significant milestone in restoring degraded agricultural ecosystems while strengthening the economic resilience of rural farming communities across Bundelkhand.

Through the direct participation of 568 local farmers, the drive established 100,000 fruit saplings across 677 hectares of cultivated farmland. The plantation focused on horticulturally viable varieties including Mango, Guava, Amla, Pomegranate, Custard Apple, and Jackfruit, carefully chosen to align with Bundelkhand’s specific agro-climatic conditions while boosting household nutrition, crop output, and long-term income stability.

Going beyond conventional tree planting, the initiative leverages agroforestry as an effective nature-based solution to reverse topsoil degradation, boost soil moisture retention, expand local biodiversity, and support long-term carbon sequestration. Integrating fruit-bearing trees into active crop acreage safeguards smallholder farmers against unpredictable weather shocks while building secondary revenue streams.

The project underscores Development Alternatives’ commitment to community-driven resilience. Linking landscape restoration with livelihood security creates a self-sustaining model which proves that environmental recovery and rural prosperity go hand in hand.