Land degradation has emerged as one of the most pressing global environmental challenges, threatening soil fertility, ecosystem services, biodiversity, and agricultural productivity. In India, a significant proportion of land is affected by water and wind erosion, salinization, and nutrient depletion, resulting in declining land productivity and increased vulnerability to climate extremes. The concept of Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN), promoted under the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, aims to balance land degradation with restoration and sustainable land management practices. Among the various approaches proposed to achieve LDN, agroforestry has gained considerable attention due to its ecological, economic, and social benefits. Agroforestry integrates trees with crops and/or livestock, creating multifunctional land-use systems that enhance soil health, conserve water, reduce erosion and improve biodiversity. Scientific evidence indicates that agroforestry systems significantly increase soil organic carbon, improve soil structure, and enhance water infiltration while simultaneously sequestering atmospheric carbon and mitigating climate change. Tree-based farming systems such as alley cropping, silvopastoral systems, windbreaks, shelterbelts and homegardens have shown promising results in restoring degraded agricultural lands, saline soils, shifting cultivation areas, and reclaimed mining sites. Despite its proven benefits, the adoption of agroforestry faces challenges including policy constraints, land tenure issues, limited technical knowledge and market barriers. This article highlights the role of agroforestry as a holistic and sustainable strategy for achieving Land Degradation Neutrality by restoring degraded lands, strengthening climate resilience, and supporting rural livelihoods. Strengthened policy support, extension services and stakeholder participation are essential to scale up agroforestry interventions for long-term land restoration and sustainable development.

The global fishing industry generates over 20 million tonnes of nutrient-rich waste each year, much of which remains unused despite its high potential in organic farming. Fish waste, rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, minerals, and amino acids, can be converted into effective fertilizers through processes such as emulsion, enzymatic or acid hydrolysis, and composting. These products improve soil fertility, enhance plant growth, and support sustainable crop production while promoting circular resource use. Key challenges including odour, pathogen risks, and nutrient imbalance?can be mitigated through proper processing and regulated application. Fish waste serves as a valuable, eco-friendly substitute for synthetic fertilizers, providing strong potential to enhance sustainable and organic farming.

Gene drives are emerging as a powerful tool in the field of genetic engineering, offering the potential to rapidly alter the genetic makeup of wild insect populations. This technology leverages the principles of CRISPR-Cas9 and other gene-editing techniques to propagate specific genetic traits throughout a population at a rate far exceeding traditional inheritance. The ability to engineer gene drives holds promise for addressing critical challenges such as controlling vector-borne diseases, managing agricultural pests, and conserving endangered species. This paper explores the scientific principles behind gene drives, their potential applications, and the complex balance between their benefits and risks.