ReviewA concept of diverse perennial cropping systems for integrated bioenergy production and ecological restoration of marginal lands in India

Energy insecurity and degradation of life supporting ecosystems are the major causes of perpetuating poverty in rural India. Here, we propose the concept of establishing diverse perennial cropping systems (DPCS) for bioenergy feedstock production and ecological rehabilitation of marginal lands. DPCS are the high-diversity communities of tall-perennial native grasses which can produce abundant biomass on low productive lands without or with minimal external inputs and sustain numerous ecosystem services for local people. These have the potential of supporting a broad range of ecosystem services such as biodiversity conservation, ecological restoration of degraded ecosystems, relaxation in human-animal conflict, and promoting industrialization and new local jobs. Basic research underpinning the proposed concept of DPCS, its relevance and policy framework in India, research gaps and limitations are also discussed.