USAID and Vignan’s Foundation Collaborate to Mitigate Climate Change and Boost Agroforestry in Andhra Pradesh

Vadlamudi, Guntur: Today, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and Vignan’s Foundation for Science, Technology and Research inaugurated a new, cutting-edge tree nursery at Vadlamudi, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh.  The nursery will contribute to local and national climate change mitigation goals by boosting plant production to sequester carbon, while harnessing the latest agroforestry tools to bolster the resilience of Andhra Pradesh’s farming system.

The high-tech nursery is set to become a central hub in the state for large-scale propagation of indigenous tree species, with the capacity to produce one million healthy plants annually, adding to the state’s carbon sink.  The nursery is equipped with advanced technologies, including automated irrigation, fertigation, and climate control systems.  With these tools, the nursery is poised to play a pivotal role in supplying quality planting material to farmers and other tree growers, building climate resilience, and empowering local communities in their agroforestry endeavours.

Veena Reddy, Mission Director, USAID said, “This collaboration builds upon decades of U.S.-India cooperation, now advancing shared global development priorities, particularly mitigating climate change by investing in climate-smart agriculture practices.  Through this productive new nursery in Guntur, USAID is collaborating with the government and academic institutions in India to expand tree cover outside of forest areas, which will contribute to our mutual climate change goals, enhance carbon sequestration, and increase farmer incomes.”

Lavu Rathaiah, Chairman and Chancellor, Vignan’s Foundation for Science, Technology and Research, said, “Vignan’s Foundation is committed to strengthening the science of plant propagation and best practices in nursery management. We aim to not only educate students but also nurture a cohort of progressive nursery managers equipped with practical knowledge and skills who will contribute to the advancement of agroforestry in the country”.

Manoj Dabas, Chief of Party, Trees Outside Forests in India (TOFI) Program, said, "The establishment of the high-tech nursery reflects the collective commitment of the government, research organisation and educational institution to advance agroforestry systems such as trees outside forests in the state. This state-of-the-art facility is not only a testament to our dedication to environmental conservation but also a strategic step in fulfilling the core objectives of the Trees Outside Forests in India (TOFI) Program. By leveraging the latest technology, we aim to amplify the impact of our agroforestry initiatives, promoting sustainable practices and fostering innovation”.

This initiative is a key advancement in the Trees Outside Forests in India (TOFI) Program, a five-year collaboration between USAID and India’s Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MOEFCC), implemented by a consortium led by the Centre for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry (CIFOR-ICRAF).  Launched nationally in September 2022, the TOFI program will foster collaboration among farmers, government agencies and private institutions to expand tree coverage rapidly.  These efforts will enhance carbon sequestration and ecosystem services in seven states, including Assam, Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Odisha, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, and Uttar Pradesh.