Agroforestry is one of the important topics in Geography optional as well as General Studies paper. Since National Agroforestry Policy was launched in 2014 and India is the first nation to have such policy, it is imperative that we be thorough with it.
What is Agroforestry?
Agroforestry is a sustainable land-use system where tree, crops and livestock are grown in the same unit.
3 components of Agroforestry= Crops + Trees + Livestock
6 Fs of Agroforestry
- Food
- Fodder
- Fuel
- Fruits
- Fertilizer
- Fibre
Modern Components of Agroforestry:
- Microclimate modernisation
- Carbon sequestration
- Humidity regulation
- Water retention
- Reduce pollution
- Mixed farming
- Improve rural landscape
Objectives of National Agroforestry Policy 2014
- Increasing farm productivity
- Increased profitability of farmers
- Diversity of investment makes farm income stable and resilient
- Sustainability
- Protect and stabilize rural ecosystems
- Supplement the availability of forest produce like fodder, fuel, etc. to reduce pressure on existing farms
- Increased forest/tree cover thereby increasing carbon sink
- Save forex reserves by meeting the demands of wood based industries
Strategies of National Agroforestry Policy
- National level bodies/boards: institutional mechanism
- Capacity building and focus in ICAR
- R&D and lab-to-farm translation
- Easy regulatory regime
- Industry linkage for farm produce
- institutional Credit/Insurance
- Access to quality planting material
- Incentive to farmers to adopt agroforestry
- Database and reporting systems