Agroforestry Solutions for Soil Restoration and Sustainable Land Management

Dr. Ram Prakesh Yadav is an Associate Professor renowned for his expertise in agricultural sciences. He is associated with the esteemed Rani Lakshmi Bai Central Agricultural University in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, India. Prior to this, he served for over nine years as an agroforestry specialist at ICAR-Vivekananda Parvatiya Krishi Anusandhan Sansthan, Almora.Dr. Yadav's academic pursuits revolve around agroforestry, soil health, and sustainable land management practices, with notable contributions to the restoration of degraded land and soil conservation. Actively engaged in teaching, mentoring, and research projects, he is dedicated to addressing contemporary agricultural challenges. His scholarly endeavors have garnered recognition through publications in peer-reviewed journals and presentations at national and international conferences.With affiliations at prestigious institutions and a commitment to advancing agricultural science, Dr. Yadav plays a pivotal role in fostering growth and development in the field. His passion for sustainable agriculture underscores his invaluable contribution to academia and the broader agricultural community.Dr. Prakash Kumar Jha is currently working as an Assistant Professor of Agricultural Climatology in the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, Mississippi State University (MSU), USA. Before joining, MSU, he served as an associate scientist and postdoctoral fellow at Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Collaborative Research on Sustainable Intensification, Kansas State University, USA. He holds a Ph.D. in Crop and Soil Sciences from Michigan State University, USA; M.Sc in environmental sciences from Indian Agricultural Research Institute, India; and B.Sc in Agricultural Sciences from Banaras Hindu University, India. He has published over 42 research articles in highly respected journals, and seven book chapters, and edited two books. He is a crop and climate modeler with an interest in sustainable agricultural systems. His specific research interests focus on investigating the influence of agronomic management on crop growth and development from field to ecological scale. He investigates complexities in agricultural systems, integrating crop simulation models, remote sensing, and climate forecast to formulate decision support systems for better management strategies at multiple scales of agroecosystems. He is passionate about teaching and the opportunity to mentor students interested in sustainable agricultural landscapes and the fundamentals of digital agroecosystems. Amitava Rakshit is a faculty member of the Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry at the Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University. His research areas include nutrient use efficiency, simulations modelling, organic farming, integrated nutrient management, and bioremediation. His consulting capabilities are composting techniques, soil health management, and input quality control. He is currently the Chief Editor of the International Journal of Agriculture Environment and Biotechnology. He is a member of the Global Forum on Food Security and Nutrition of FAO, Rome, and the Commission on Ecosystem Management of International Union for Conservation of Nature. Dr. Vijay Singh Meena has made remarkable contributions in the field of agricultural research, aligning his efforts with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Particularly, his work focuses on evaluating and promoting climate-resilient technologies for diverse cropping systems, directly contributing to SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 13 (Climate Action).His expertise lies in optimizing input usage, fostering carbon-neutral farming practices, and enhancing productivity and profitability in agriculture, which are integral to achieving SDG 2 by ensuring food security and promoting sustainable agriculture. Furthermore, his initiatives in evaluating climate-resilient technologies align with SDG 13 by addressing climate change impacts and promoting adaptation measures in agriculture.Dr. Meena's academic background in Soil Science and Cropping System Management, coupled with his extensive research experience, has equipped him with a profound understanding of cropping systems. His expertise in input optimization, quantitative cropping systems analysis, and soil health management has significantly contributed to improving livelihoods in South Asia, thus supporting SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 2. Furthermore, Dr. Meena has been recognized for his scientific excellence, receiving prestigious awards such as the INSA Young Scientist Award and the IASWC Budding Scientist Award, which further highlights his contributions towards achieving the SDGs. In summary, Dr. Vijay Singh Meena's outstanding achievements, leadership abilities, and commitment to agricultural innovation directly contribute to advancing the SDGs, particularly SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 13 (Climate Action), and make him a valuable asset in promoting climate-resilient agriculture and sustainable food systems.

• 1. Introduction to Agroforestry and its Role in Sustainable Land Management2. Design and Implementation of Agroforestry Systems3. Agroforestry in the Reference of Land Degradation Neutrality4. Spectral and Temporal Dynamics of Shade in Agroforestry and Agrivoltaics: Implications for Crop Adaptation and Productivity5. Agroforestry: An Approach for Climate Change Mitigation and Livelihood Security in Agriculture6. Agroforestry for Restoration and Maintenance of Soil Health and Quality Indicators7. Agroforestry as a Land Use Option for Ecosystem Restoration8. Biodiversity Conservation in Agroforestry Landscapes9. Role of Agroforestry for Management of Salt Affected Soils10. Regenerative Agroforestry: a Solution for Rehabilitation of Degraded Land11. Nutrient Cycling and Soil Fertility in Agroforestry12. Natural Resource Management and Livelihood Improvement Through Agroforestry and Engineering Measures: A Case Study of Garhkundar-Dabar Watershed13. Environmental Benefits of Agroforestry for Soil Restoration14. Integrated Development of Agroforestry and Wood Based Industries15. Extension Strategy for Promoting the Adoption of Agroforestry Practices Among the Farming Community16. Carbon Sequestration Potential of Agroforestry17. Complex Ecosystem Services of Agroforestry for Environmental Sustainability18. Extension and Outreach Programs in Agroforestry19. Agroforestry Policies and Regulatory Frameworks20. Agroforestry: Opportunities, Challenges, Future Prospects and Recommendation