Over 30% rural families in India live in poverty due to small holdings and low soil productivity. As many underutilised tree species are tolerant to harsh agro-climatic conditions, BAIF promoted agri-horti-forestry on...Over 30% rural families in India live in poverty due to small holdings and low soil productivity. As many underutilised tree species are tolerant to harsh agro-climatic conditions, BAIF promoted agri-horti-forestry on degraded lands inhabited by tribals. Traditionally dependent on non-timber forest products, they selected tamarind （Tamarindus indica）, jackfruit （Artocarpus heterophyllus）, Indian gooseberry （Emblica officinalis） and ber （Zizyphus mauritiana）, apart from mango and cashew for their livelihood. Oilseed trees like neem （Azadirachta indica）, mahua （Madhuca indica） and jatropha （Jatropha curcas） were introduced on field borders, while the interspace was utilised for cultivating food crops. To ensure higher yield and superior quality of the produce, selection of elite germplasm, domestication through standardisation of cultivation practices and facilitation for supply of planting material are essential, apart from increasing the demand by exploring their uses, creating awareness among consumers and establishing a good distribution network, Intercrops like foodgrains, vegetables and medicinal herbs generated additional income and reduced risk in case of failure of underutilised crops. Introduction of underutilised crops on a small scale with local crops and expansion of their cultivation with the demand is recommended.展开更多
文摘Over 30% rural families in India live in poverty due to small holdings and low soil productivity. As many underutilised tree species are tolerant to harsh agro-climatic conditions, BAIF promoted agri-horti-forestry on degraded lands inhabited by tribals. Traditionally dependent on non-timber forest products, they selected tamarind （Tamarindus indica）, jackfruit （Artocarpus heterophyllus）, Indian gooseberry （Emblica officinalis） and ber （Zizyphus mauritiana）, apart from mango and cashew for their livelihood. Oilseed trees like neem （Azadirachta indica）, mahua （Madhuca indica） and jatropha （Jatropha curcas） were introduced on field borders, while the interspace was utilised for cultivating food crops. To ensure higher yield and superior quality of the produce, selection of elite germplasm, domestication through standardisation of cultivation practices and facilitation for supply of planting material are essential, apart from increasing the demand by exploring their uses, creating awareness among consumers and establishing a good distribution network, Intercrops like foodgrains, vegetables and medicinal herbs generated additional income and reduced risk in case of failure of underutilised crops. Introduction of underutilised crops on a small scale with local crops and expansion of their cultivation with the demand is recommended.
