Indian farmlands have a unique position with respect to their size,
diverse soil conditions and crop composition. The incorporation of trees
is a visionary strategy for supplementing natural agricultural practices
and charting a novel path to combat climate change and safeguard
biodiversity, but planting an inappropriate tree in an unsuitable
location may have a contradictory impact. Through this review, we try to
provide some valuable insights into the current state of knowledge gaps
in research and emerging trends concerning farmland trees in India. A
total number of 85 publications were selected and classified into
groups. The major factor influencing the trees in the farmland sector in
India is the economic benefits obtained from them. The role of
intangible benefits and ecosystem services like carbon sequestration has
not been widely recognised in the process of species selection. The slow
growth in the number of publications on trees on farmlands still leans
on topics like trees outside forests and agroforestry. Several other
concepts, viz., timber production, regulating services, lack of public
awareness, legal formalities, lack of institutional mechanisms etc.,
related to farmland trees still remain unaddressed in scientific
research. Proper awareness, future-focused research and a
well-structured policy-level legal framework are essential to maximise
the potential benefits procured from these resources.