Thursday, December 18, 2014

National Agroforestry Policy 2014 for Rural Development and Forest Conservation

Ques.1 What is Agroforestry and detail the importance of National Agroforestry policy 2014 for rural development and forest conservation in India?

Ans. Agroforestry is a century old practice of cultivating tress on farm along side traditional cropping and animal husbandry practices.

Before the National Agroforestry Policy of 2014, there have been policies that covered Agroforestry such as National Forest policy, Green India Mission, National Policy on farmers etc. India is the first country to implement a dedicated policy for Agroforestry.

Importance of NAP 2014 point wise –

(a) By promoting agroforestry through NAP, farm income would increase thereby improving the livelihood of rural poor practising Agroforestry.

(b) Trees produced on farms would be used for domestic purposes and as a raw material for wood requiring industries. When trees produced on farms would be used then effectively trees in Jungles would not be cut thereby leading to forest conservation.

(c) NAP 2014 will undertake proper land reforms thereby ensuring the farmers that the land on which they are practising Agroforestry belongs to them and will not be taken away from them.

(d) NAP will ensure that farmers are provided proper seeds and technology. National Institute of Agroforestry to be set up in all 127 agro climatic zones of India which would assist and apprise farmers of the best available scientific Agroforestry practises.

(e) Under NAP, rules and regulations of various Govt. departments like Forest Department prohibitions, PESA, Forest Rights Act etc. will be relaxed so that farm agroforestry becomes feasible for rural poor.

(f) Loans for execution of and insurance against loss in farm agroforestry would be provided.

(g) Awareness among poor with the help of SHG, NGO, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA).

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