Scientific techniques for Melia dubia-based agroforestry systems: an emerging indigenous tree species for wood-based industries in India

Melia dubia is an indigenous, fast-growing and most favoured tree species, being promoted as an alternative to many exotic industrial tree species in India. It is amenable for pulp, pencil, packaging and plywood production. It has been widely cultivated by farmers in the southern states and to some extent in the central and North Indian states. It is the most promising agroforestry tree species suited for mixed, block and boundary plantations with biomass production of 80–250 t ha–1 from 4 to 8 years of planting. The economic profitability is Rs 24,000–137,500 per acre per year in different parts of the country. Under the scenario of shifting the momentum of farmers towards assured income-generating commodities like agroforestry, M. dubia is proving highly beneficial to them in terms of monetary and other livelihood opportunities.