Here is an essay on ‘Agroforestry in India’ for class 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12. Find paragraphs, long and short essays on ‘Agroforestry in India’ especially written for school and college students.
Essay on Agroforestry in India
Essay Contents:
- Essay on the Introduction to Agroforestry
- Essay on the Models of Agroforestry
- Essay on the Various Agro Climatic Zones of Punjab
- Essay on the Commercial Agroforestry
Essay # 1. Introduction to Agroforestry:
Our National Forest Policy (1988) envisages that the plain states should have 20 per cent of its geographical area under forests for environmental stability and to meet the needs of demands for wood. Punjab is an agrarian state having maximum area under agriculture, thereby having only 6.49 per cent area under forests (2013).
There is little scope to bring more area under forests directly. However, growing of trees on farms along with agriculture crops will help to achieve the desired forest/tree cover in the state. Agroforestry is a land management system which helps to maintain environmental stability and diversification of agriculture.
Agroforestry is land management system where tree and crops are grown together along with rearing of animals is undertaken on same farm/piece of land alternatively and sequentially. The main objective of agro-forestry is to meet the demands of the farmer’s viz., food, fuel, fodder, fibre and fertilizers along with maintenance and amelioration of natural resources (land, water and air). The income of the farmers increased through the adoption of this system than traditional agriculture cropping system (Rice – Wheat).
Essay # 2. Models of Agroforestry:
i. Boundary plantation
ii. Intercropping in block plantations
i. Boundary Plantation:
In this system farmers raise trees on the boundaries of their fields in one or two rows. The trees are planted in systematic manner and these do not create disturbance in the operations of agriculture. The application of water and nutrients to agriculture crops is also available to these trees and these trees grow better. Trees should be planted in North-South direction on boundaries.
The trees affect crops yield when intercropped. The correct selection of tree species with desirable characters for agroforestry and by increasing spacing in rows and in plants in a row helps to reduce the adverse effect of trees on crops. Many trees can be planted on boundaries. These are Eucalypts, Poplar, Tut, Subabul, Drek, Siris, Lassora, Sohanjana, Neem and Tahli etc.
ii. Intercropping in Block Plantations:
In this model trees are grown in whole field. In the interspaces of tree lines crops viz., wheat, Sarson, Turmeric, Mentha, Ginger, Colocasia, fenugreek, carrot, cabbage, chukander, Potato, Spinach and Garlic etc. are grown. Generally big farmers adopt this type of agroforestry. For planting in block plantations tree i.e. Poplar, Eucalyptus, Dhrek, and Tun are good choices.
Essay # 3. Various Agro Climatic Zones of Punjab:
On the basis of climate, Punjab is divided into three major agro climatic zones. Every tree species needs different soils, water, and climatic requirements. Due to this, different tree species are grown in these zones.
i. Sub-Mountainous Zone:
The topography of this region is undulating, due to which soil erosion is a major problem in this region. Irrigation facility is lacking in this region and fanners adopt rain fed farming. In this region mainly trees i. e. Khair, Kikar, Tahli, Ber, Toot, Nim, Mango, Kachnar, Bel, Amala, Phali, Dhak, Chhal, Beri, Subabaul, Sohanjana, Dek, Harar, Behra and Arjun are grown.
In winters, the scarcity of fodder is felt in this area. To meet the shortage of fodder in winter in this region trees viz., Dhak, chhal, Beri, Kachnar are chopped for fodder. Mango and Citrus are also grown along timber trees in orchards in this region. To save orchards from wild life Jatropha, karonda and Ipomea like shrubs are grown around the orchards.
ii. Central Plain Region:
Poplar, Eucalyptus and dek are grown along with intercrops in this region of Punjab.
iii. South -Western Region:
The underground water in this region is saline, which has resulted in salinity and alkanity problems of soil in this region. The trees like Kikar, Tahli, Nim, Jamun, Amb, Dhrek, and Toot are found in this region.
Essay # 4. The Commercial Agroforestry:
Mainly Poplar and Eucalyptus are grown in Punjab for commercial agroforestry. These trees are suitable for agroforestry in Punjab. There is no problem of marketing of wood of these two trees and return from these trees is higher than wheat-rice cropping system.
i. Poplar:
The cultivation of Poplar is capable for diversification of agriculture, wood production for small enterprises (Ply, Match sticks, and packing cases) and employment generation. The characters of tree such as straight bole, narrow crown and leaf shedding in winter (deciduous in nature) make it a good choice for agroforestry as it causes meager loss to agricultural crops in rabi season.
Poplar is more successful in bet areas. The loamy- sand to sandy – loam soil with good drainage and having pH 6.5 – 8.0 is good for cultivation of Poplar. Poplar cultivation is not successful in Kallar and waterlogged soils.
Poplar Clones:
Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana recommends the cultivation of Poplar clones viz., PL-1, PL-2, PL-3, PL-4, PL-5, PL-6, PL-7, L-47/88 and L-48/89 in Punjab. For planting of poplar, dig the pits of 15-20 cm diameter and 3 feet deep in its planting season in the month of January-February.
To save the plants from termites and diseases treat them with chloropyriphos and Emisan-6. Irrigate the plants immediately after planting. For boundary planting of Poplar tree, 3m tree spacing should be kept and for whole field a spacing of 5 × 4 and 8 × 2.5 m is recommended.
Approximately 200 trees/acre can be planted. No pruning is required during the first year. But during second year onwards pruning in winter after leaf shedding is carried out to make tree straight and good form. The poplar tree becomes ready for harvest after 5-7 years.
ii. Eucalyptus:
Eucalyptus clonal plants needs to be planted in agroforestry to obtain uniform growth in all the trees and to obtain higher yields as the trees of seed origin does not grow uniformly due to cross pollination in Eucalyptus. Eucalyptus based agroforestry is economical due to its straight and fast growing nature, self-pruning and use of its wood for multi purposes. It can be planted on boundary or in block plantation.
Eucalyptus plants can be obtained from the nurseries of Department of Forests and Wildlife Preservation, Punjab, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana or private registered nurseries. Planting of Eucalyptus can be done in the months of March-April and July – August. Pit size required is 60 x 60 cm.
Dig it and fill it up to 30 cm and expose the pit soil to sun for sterilization. Treat the pit soil with Chlorpyriphos and Emisan-6. At the time of planting keep the earth ball of the plant in the centre of the pit and fill the pit with soil and FYM mixture of 1:1. Irrigate the plants immediately after the planting.
Boundary planting can be done at a spacing of 2 meter. Approximately 500 plants can be planted in a acre for block plantation at a spacing 4 × 2 m. Tree line should be kept in North -South direction. In plantations with this spacing intercropping can be done for 3-4 year.
But if intercropping is to be done for a longer period then spacing between lines should be increased from 4 m to 8 m or plantations of 4 × 2 m can be thinned after 3-4 year by removing one alternate row. For timber production eucalyptus can be harvested after 13-15 year, for pulp 6-8 years and for batten 4-6 years.