Current Science

Pooja Verma ¹, Arvind Bijalwan ¹, Manmohan J. R. Dobriyal ², S. L. Swamy ³, Tarun Kumar Thakur ³

Affiliations
1 Indian Institute of Forest Management, Nehru Nagar, Bhopal 462 003, IN
2 Department of Silviculture and Agroforestry, College of Forestry, Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari 396 450, IN
3 Indira Gandhi National Tribal University, Amarkantak 484 887, IN

Abstract

Agroforestry is a dynamic and sustainable land management system of deliberately growing woody perennials along with agricultural crops on farmlands to secure both tangible and intangible benefits to the farmers. Uttar Pradesh (UP), one of the largest and densely populated state of India in the Indo-Gangetic Plain with large agrarian communities, had a paradigm shift in the adoption of agroforestry. After successful adoption and commercialization of poplar and eucalyptus-based agroforestry models over two decades in western UP, other parts of central and eastern UP have also been attracted towards remunerative agroforestry projects in the past few years. In UP, agroforestry practices vary according to different agro-climatic zones, land capability and socio-economic status of farmers. The variation is reflected in terms of diversity in agroforestry practices, and comparative advantage prompted a renewed interest to harness the vivid potential. Drawing on the representative literature, we have reviewed the status and pattern of tree- crop combinations of agroforestry practices across various regions of the state as well as productivity under different agroforestry systems, which shows traditional agriculture transforming to multifunctional agroforestry in UP.

Keywords

Agro-Climatic Regions, Agroforestry, Paradigm Shift, Productivity, Tree–Crop Interaction.

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Arvind Bijalwan ¹, Pooja Verma ¹, Manmohan J. R. Dobriyal ², A. K. Patil ³, Tarun Kumar Thakur ⁴, C. M. Sharma ⁵

Affiliations
1 Indian Institute of Forest Management, Nehru Nagar, Bhopal 462 003, IN
2 Department of Silviculture and Agroforestry, College of Forestry, Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari 396 450, IN
3 Madhya Pradesh Forest Department, Bhopal 462 004, IN
4 Indira Gandhi National Tribal University, Amarkantak 484 887, IN
5 College of Forestry, VCSG Uttarakhand University of Horticulture and Forestry, Hill Campus, Ranichauri, Tehri Garhwal 249 199, IN

Abstract

Agroforestry practices in Madhya Pradesh (MP), India existed in the primordial times, which can be evidenced almost in every region of the state; however, the pace of scientific inclusion in agroforestry and its extension is quite slow. There is lack of priority and limited work has been done related to agroforestry practices, possibly due to the presence of large natural forest area in the state. In the present context, to meet the national target of forest cover and to reduce pressure on nature forest, agroforestry seems to be a viable option as it provides a source of income for farming and tribal communities along with countless environmental benefits. This article provides a review and insight of agroforestry and extent of agriculture, horticulture and agroforestry in MP. It also provides information on diverse tree species under agroforestry systems, a mosaic of tree–crop combinations and horticulture species preferred by the farmers in different agro-climatic zones of the state. The authors have also tried to enlist the efforts of various government initiatives and other agencies involved in the extension of agroforestry in the state. The roles of MP Forest Department, MP Forest Development Corporation and allied Departments of the state in agroforestry and tree planting have also been discussed. Marketing of agroforestry produce, farmers’ involvement in agroforestry practices and identification of key policy constraints of agroforestry in the state have been discussed and critically analysed.

Keywords

Agroforestry Practices, Agriculture, Agroclimatic Regions, Horticulture.

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