Agroforestry
Also called: Agro-forestry · Topic: Natural Vegetation and Forests of India · NCERT: Class 11, Ch 5 "Natural Vegetation"
Meaning
Agroforestry means growing trees and farm crops together on the same land, including on waste patches. One piece of land then gives food, fodder (animal feed), fuel, timber and fruit at the same time. The trees also protect the soil and give the farmer extra income. NCERT treats agroforestry as one part of rural forestry, which comes under social forestry. India became the first country to have a National Agroforestry Policy, in 2014.
Example
In Punjab and Haryana, many farmers grow rows of poplar and eucalyptus on fields that also grow crops such as wheat. The crop gives food, and the trees are sold later as wood.
Don't confuse with
- Farm forestry: farmers growing trees on their own land, such as field edges and around homes, for sale or home use. It is a separate social forestry category. Agroforestry is about mixing trees and crops on the same land.