6 min read
In 2011, Maisons du Monde (MDM), a French home decor and furniture company, partnered with Earthworm Foundation (formerly TFT) to launch an ambitious agroforestry project in India. The goal was simple yet transformative: to plant Sheesham (Dalbergia sissoo) trees in the smallholder farms to generate additional income and on farm ecological benefits in the agriculturally intensive states of Punjab and Haryana. Over a decade later, the project has touched more than 2,400 farmers, spanned 12,912 hectares, and demonstrated the potential of integrating tree planting with soil health, biodiversity, and rural livelihoods.
The Sheesham project was rooted in the idea that tree-based farming could provide long-term environmental and economic benefits in a region struggling with monocropping and excessive chemical use. Punjab and Haryana, the breadbaskets of India, have seen a steady decline in soil quality and biodiversity due to conventional farming practices. The Sheesham project introduced an agroforestry model where trees are planted on field boundaries—reviving traditional methods, creating timber reserves, and encouraging a more harmonious relationship between agriculture and nature.
“This is one of the only projects in our area that revives our traditional tree-planting. It reminds us of what our grandparents used to do.”
From 2011 to 2021, the project expanded to 269 villages—119 in Punjab and 150 in Haryana—engaging 2,417 farmers. The participating farmers were diverse in landholding sizes, from marginal landowners to large-scale farmers. The project focused not just on planting trees but embedding agroforestry into farming practices through regular training, field support, and community engagement.
Across both states, 20,000 Sheesham saplings were planted through partnerships with local nurseries. These nurseries were also a source of employment for local women, who played a key role in managing sapling care and logistics.
The project also included environmental education campaigns in schools, including a creative wall painting campaign to engage children and raise awareness about biodiversity and Sheesham tree planting.
Visual and lab-based assessments revealed a clear challenge: soils in many farms, especially in Punjab, were compacted and low in organic carbon—symptoms of prolonged chemical use and unsustainable land practices.
Many farmers knew something was wrong with their soils—but didn't have access to the tools or training to do better.
“We know the soil is getting worse, but we don’t get proper help or timely soil reports from the government.”
Earthworm Foundation responded by introducing soil health diagnostics using VESS (Visual Evaluation of Soil Structure) and supporting farmers in interpreting results. This wasn't just technical data; it became a conversation starter in the fields.
A breakthrough moment came with the visit of renowned soil microbiologists Claude and Lydia Bourguignon, whose on-site demonstrations helped translate soil science into something farmers could relate to. Their credibility and clarity gave weight to Earthworm’s recommendations, inspiring farmers to rethink how they treat their land.
“We apply fertilizers and chemicals without knowing what the soil needs. We wish someone would teach us better ways.”
Earthworm Foundation used that need as a foundation—offering field-level support, encouraging organic inputs, and co-developing more personalised soil regeneration plans with farmers.
Agroforestry Adoption
Initial adoption of Sheesham trees faced setbacks. Farmers voiced concerns over shading, machine access, and vulnerability to disease and pests.
“Many of our Sheesham trees are dying due to termite attacks and the dieback disease. We need stronger, healthier saplings.”
“The shade from mature Sheesham trees affects our crop yield. We want to grow other trees along with Sheesham.”
Earthworm Foundation adapted. Instead of promoting Sheesham alone, the team began advocating for species diversification—including guava, pomegranate, and date palm—offering farmers a path toward both resilience and supplemental income.
Bridging the Market Gap
One of the toughest challenges was economic: a lack of assured buyers for Sheesham timber or other agroforestry products.
“We are ready to plant more trees—but only if there is a good market for the timber or fruits.”
“Without a market, growing Sheesham in large numbers doesn’t make economic sense for us.”
In response, Earthworm Foundation began exploring new timber buyers and partnerships to close the market gap, while also guiding farmers toward planting fruit trees with faster and more diverse market returns. The shift toward agroforestry as an income strategy, not just an ecological one, helped re-energise farmer participation.
Despite ongoing challenges, one theme stood out: most farmers felt heard, supported, and engaged.
“The training sessions helped me see the value of planting mixed species and taking care of the soil.”
With over half of the farmers participating in peer-to-peer knowledge sharing, the project evolved into a self-sustaining learning network.
The Sheesham-based agroforestry initiative delivered measurable environmental, social, and economic outcomes—demonstrating the holistic potential of regenerative systems when rooted in local realities.
Green Cover and Biodiversity
Tree planting led to increased green cover and improved farm-level biodiversity. Farmers noted the return of birds and beneficial insects—an encouraging sign in intensively farmed landscapes.
Carbon Sequestration
Mature trees contributed to carbon storage on farms, adding an environmental co-benefit to a project primarily focused on agroforestry and farmer resilience.
Cultural Revival
Farmers spoke of rediscovering traditional tree-planting practices and passing this knowledge on to others.
Community Empowerment
With over half of the farmers participating in peer-to-peer knowledge sharing, the project evolved into a self-sustaining learning network.
Economic Resilience
By integrating Sheesham and fruit-bearing trees into existing cropping systems, farmers began to develop longer-term sources of income—from timber, fruits, and even biodiversity-friendly farming practices.
The project supported farmers in building natural capital—living trees on their land that could be harvested, sold, or maintained for generational value.
In interviews, over 78% of farmers reported the project helped them build capital—whether through increased tree assets, soil fertility, or diversified future income streams.
The evaluation made it clear that tree planting cannot be viewed in isolation. For agroforestry to thrive, it must be embedded within a broader system of regenerative agriculture. Potential directions emerged: integration of soil health diagnostics, personalised farm planning, including supporting the cultivation of other crops in the farm rather than just the introduced tree species and broader regenerative practices.
A key enabler in both paths is market linkage. Whether connecting farmers to buyers of Sheesham timber or supporting sales of chemical-free produce, creating economic incentives will drive sustained behaviour change.
The Sheesham agroforestry project offers valuable lessons for any organization looking to merge environmental sustainability with rural development:
- Co-create with communities
- Invest beyond trees
- Stay adaptive
This project demonstrates that when companies make long-term commitments to support communities in their sourcing regions, the results go beyond compliance—they contribute to improved livelihoods, enhanced environmental conditions, and a more secure supply of raw materials.
Over the past decade, the Sheesham agroforestry initiative has evolved through farmer engagement, adaptive approaches, and consistent field presence. It stands as a reflection of what is possible when corporate responsibility is paired with sustained community support.
The project envisions building upon current successes to deepen impact in key areas. This envisioned expansion aims to strengthen farmer incomes, restore soil health, and diversify agroforestry systems, considering the entire farm ecosystem rather than solely emphasising tree planting—building on what has already been learned to deepen impact where it matters most.
