On World Environment Day, the Save Soil–Cauvery Calling movement highlighted the economic and ecological benefits of tree-based agriculture, claiming that the model has helped some farmers in the Cauvery basin increase their annual income from around Rs 30,000 per acre to as much as Rs 2.5–3 lakh per acre.
“Tree-based agriculture is an economic solution to an ecological problem,” said Anand Ethirajalu, Project Director of Save Soil–Cauvery Calling. He called for farmer-friendly policies and incentives to accelerate the adoption of agroforestry practices. The initiative is accredited by the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
One of the programme’s success stories is Pollachi-based farmer Valluvan, who transformed a loss-making coconut monoculture farm into a diversified agroforestry system in 2009. His farm now includes 13 crop species, such as nutmeg, bananas, fruit trees, areca nut, curry leaves, turmeric and elephant yam.
According to the movement, the transition significantly improved farm productivity and profitability. Valluvan reported an increase in annual earnings to approximately Rs 2.5–3 lakh per acre. The farm’s soil organic carbon content rose from about 0.52% to 3.36%, while coconut yields increased from roughly 100 nuts per tree to nearly 160. Average coconut weight also improved from around 400 grams to 550 grams.
The organisation said regenerative farming practices such as mulching, cover cropping and rainwater harvesting enabled the farm to withstand the severe drought of 2017 and reduced soil erosion during periods of heavy rainfall. Valluvan’s work has been documented in the UNCCD-WOCAT global database and certified by the Tamil Nadu Organic Certification Department. He now trains other farmers in agroforestry techniques.
Save Soil–Cauvery Calling aims to facilitate the planting of 242 crore trees across farmlands in the Cauvery basin. The movement said it has so far supported 2.6 lakh farmers and enabled the plantation of 13.4 crore trees.
To support the initiative, the organisation operates what it describes as Asia’s largest single-site nursery in Cuddalore, managed by more than 200 women and capable of producing 85 lakh saplings annually. A second nursery in Thiruvannamalai has a production capacity of 15 lakh saplings.
Saplings are distributed through 45 centres in Tamil Nadu and eight in Karnataka. Farmers can choose from 54 species, including 29 timber varieties such as teak, red sandalwood, rosewood and mahogany. Timber saplings are provided at a subsidised rate of Rs 5, while fruit and flowering tree saplings are available for Rs 10, according to Tamizhmaran, Operations Lead of the project.
The movement said its field teams visited more than 26,500 farms in 2025, offering free guidance on species selection, soil conditions, water availability and plantation planning. It also operates 225 WhatsApp groups that provide advisory support to over 60,000 farmers, alongside a daily helpline service.
In addition, three large-scale training programmes conducted during 2025 reportedly reached more than 14,000 farmers, with participation from experts affiliated with institutions such as the Indian Institute of Spices Research (IISR), Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR), Kerala Forest Research Institute (KFRI), Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE), Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) and the Central Ground Water Board.
Save Soil–Cauvery Calling forms part of the broader Save Soil initiative, which also includes the Save Soil Regenerative Revolution and the Save Soil Farmers Movement. These programmes focus on regenerative agriculture training and strengthening farmer producer organisations.
According to programme data as of March 31, 2026, Save Soil Regenerative Revolution had conducted 532 training programmes reaching more than 40,000 farmers, facilitated the addition of nearly 55,000 farmers to advisory networks, supported 185 farmer internships, and developed a digital library comprising 1,260 technical videos.
