Enviro News Asia, New Delhi — The Centre for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry (CIFOR-ICRAF), in collaboration with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), successfully concluded the first South Asian Agroforestry and Trees Outside Forests Congress, TREESCAPES 2026. The congress was held from 5–7 February at the National Agricultural Science Complex (NASC), Pusa Campus, in New Delhi.
The event convened representatives from governments, financial institutions, civil society organisations, farmers, youth, and industry stakeholders across South Asia to deliberate on strengthening agroforestry systems and Trees Outside Forests (ToF). Discussions centred on enhancing climate resilience, restoring degraded landscapes, improving farmer livelihoods, and fostering tree-based entrepreneurship and economic growth.
Certification and Sustainable Supply Chains
The Network for Certification and Conservation of Forests (NCCF), India’s national member of Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC), contributed to the programme through a poster presentation titled Enhancing Livelihood and Sustainability of Trees Outside Forests through PEFC ToF Certification.
NCCF representatives also participated in thematic sessions, highlighting how PEFC-endorsed ToF certification strengthens traceability, supports responsible supply chains, and enhances livelihood outcomes. The discussions underscored the growing recognition that credible evidence of legality, traceability, and sustainability is becoming essential for both export and domestic markets.
During an entrepreneurship session, PEFC International Board member A. K. Bansal emphasised that certification increasingly serves as a bridge between producers and markets that prioritise responsible sourcing.
Building Partnerships for Inclusive Growth
A central theme of TREESCAPES 2026 was the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration. Participants stressed that unlocking the full socio-economic and environmental value of ToF requires structured linkages between farmers and wood-based industries, ensuring fair pricing, assured market access, and equitable benefit-sharing.
At a thematic session addressing agroforestry challenges in India, Dr. Devendra Pandey of NCCF highlighted how leading pulp and paper companies are supporting farmers through access to quality planting material (QPM) and extension services. When aligned with certification frameworks such as the PEFC-endorsed NCCF ToF model, these partnerships enhance productivity, traceability, and resilience across supply chains.
In her poster presentation, Ms. Abhilasha Guleria of NCCF showcased the inclusive design of the PEFC-endorsed NCCF ToF certification model, which integrates smallholders and livelihood-dependent communities into certified supply chains. Simplified and inclusive certification systems, she noted, are particularly vital in India, where a significant proportion of timber and fibre resources originate from ToF systems.
A Shared Vision for Sustainable Development
Across sessions, stakeholders underscored that Trees Outside Forests represent more than a resource—they embody interconnected relationships between land, markets, communities, and policy frameworks.
Participants identified several priorities moving forward:
- Policy reforms that ensure equitable benefit-sharing for farmers
- Stronger linkages between growers and wood-based industries
- Reliable access to quality planting material
- Inclusive certification systems that serve both people and markets
In an era where sustainability standards increasingly shape global competitiveness—including under regulatory frameworks such as the EU Deforestation Regulation—South Asia’s Trees Outside Forests systems present a promising pathway toward inclusive, resilient, and sustainable economic growth. (*)
