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| Agro Forestry |
Agro forestry is an area wherein Haryana has taken long
strides. This is the only way in which the states can increase their area under
green cover. The Forest Department has been distributing tree-seedlings to the
farmers and other tree growers free of cost to promote agroforestry. In the
recent past, more than 2 crore seedlings are distributed every year.
Agroforestry has enabled the forest deficient state of Haryana to support a
large number of wood-based industries based on farm-grown wood. The town of
Yamuna Nagar has virtually become the national centre of plywood and veneer
industry. Our policy of not putting any restriction on felling of trees from
private areas and not having any restrictions on transit of wood has also helped
expand the timber trade and wood-based industries. Our endeavour is to create
conditions so that wood-based industries and agroforestry activity can further
grow simultaneously.
Although, the national goal is to bring at least one-third
of country geographical area under forest and tree cover by year 2012, being an
agricultural state, our vision is to bring forest and tree cover over at least
10 percent of the state geographical area by 2010 and ultimately to 20 percent
in a phased manner. Our endeavour is to involve rural people, especially women,
in raising forest nurseries so that agro-forestry could become people movement.
We are also making an effort to establish organised timber markets (Mandis) in
all the districts of the state to facilitate trade in agro-forestry produce.
Agroforestry is the most economical, sustainable and stable
alternative for ecological security of land production system. Whereas the
average productivity of plantations in forest and wastelands is approximately 4
to 5 cubic metres per hectare per year, agroforestry plantations in irrigated
land ensure average productivity of 10 to 15 cubic metres per hectare per year
at a relatively low input cost. Thus, by all aspects, agroforestry is a cheap,
profitable and stable alternative. However, there are still problems associated
with species suitability, marketing, policy issues and industrialisation for
which there is a great necessity for discussion and deliberation.
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There is a vast scope of Research and Development in the field of agroforestry.
Many high yielding clones of certain agroforestry species have been evolved
which need to be demonstrated in the field so that tree growers increase
productivity of their plantations. High yielding and disease resistant clones of
Eucalyptus, Poplar, Teak, Ailanthus, Khejri, etc. need to be evolved by
continuous research.
We will require assistance from the Central Government in R &D and extension
activities. Plantations of Poplar were instrumental in the expansion of plywood
and veneer industry in Haryana. Further research need to be conducted for
developing alternative uses of poplar wood to expand its marketability.
There have been many fluctuations in the prices of Eucalyptus and Poplar and
other agroforestry species due to variations in demand and supply which always
poses a threat that farmers may became indifferent to agroforestry. This issue
should be taken up with more seriousness and priority and, I believe, there is
an urgent need to work on issues related to marketing and government policies of
import and export of wood.
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2009, Haryana Forest Department, All rights reserved |
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