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1. Poplar based Agroforestry program in Vaishali district ßleqnk; vk/kkfjr lefUor ou izcU/ku ,oa laj{k.k ;kstukÞ POPLAR - A WONDER TREE WITH AGRICULTURE INSTITUTE OF FOREST PRODUCTIVITY (INDIAN COUNCIL OF FORESTRY RESEARCH & EDUCATION, DEHRADUN) NH-23, Gumla Road, Lalgutwa, Ranchi – 835 303; E-mail : dir_ifp@icfre.org

2. OVERVIEW Under the aegis of ICFRE, Dehradun Institute of Forest productivity, Ranchi is implementing Agroforestry component of “Samudai Adharit Samanvit Van Prabandhan Evam Sanrakshan Yojana” (SASVPSY) in Vaishali and nearby districts of Bihar. The project is funded by Planning Commission, Govt. of India. It was conceived for promotion of economically viable agro-forestry model in North Bihar districts having vast tract of Gangetic plains. Poplar has been selected as flagship species to be introduced in the project. It also envisages involving farmers for raising Kisan Nursery. For capacity building, farmers training were organized apart from study tours to different Poplar growing regions of the country. Establishment of Model nursery, Demonstration centers, Clonal garden and Hedge garden were also some of the key activities of the project. Poplar plantation at Vaishali INSTITUTE OF FOREST PRODUCTIVITY (ICFRE), RANCHI 2

3. Main Objectives • 1) Area under tree cover be expanded through massive afforestation program on farmlands, community lands. • Encouragement and support be provided for expansion and improvement of homestead forestry, farm forestry, village woodlots, private woodlots through adequate extension and appropriate incentives. • 2) Establish Model Nurseries, Kisan Nurseries and Demonstration Centers which can be linked with plantation programs. Establish strong forestry extension and training facilities including preparation of extension materials and pilot demonstration. • 3) To enhance capacity building and facilitate expertise through extension, training, seminars, workshops, field visits emphasizing about practical 'do how' as against theoretical know how. • 4) Promote forestry activities of appropriate technology, which will support poverty alleviation, generate employment, increase income and raise the standard of living of the people, especially in rural communities. • 5) Documentation of existing Agro forestry practices and conducting socio-economic survey and analysis in various Districts of north and south Bihar. • 6) Selection of suitable tree species / clones / hybrids for different site conditions & Agro forestry systems & Models. • 7)  Establishment of demonstration trials of different tree species/Agro forestry Models which focus on conservation of natural resources & agro-ecosystem function with emphasis on specific land management problems of degraded lands. • 8) Quantification of socio-economic and environmental benefits of Agro forestry. • 9) Development of mechanisms for technology transfer including training to farmers on adoption of Agro forestry technology along scientific lines. Poplar plantation at Vaishali INSTITUTE OF FOREST PRODUCTIVITY (ICFRE), RANCHI 3

4. Area of operation • Started at Vaishali district. • Spread in adjoining Muzaffarpur, Samastipur and Saran districts. • Focus on 25 administrative blocks. • Approached 34000 households. • Reached 1398 villages covering 6100 farmers. INSTITUTE OF FOREST PRODUCTIVITY (ICFRE), RANCHI 4

5. Consolidated Physical Target and Achievement INSTITUTE OF FOREST PRODUCTIVITY (ICFRE), RANCHI 5

6. KISAN NURSERY • For nursery raising 8.50 lakh ETP were procured from FTA, Haldwani and distributed to farmers. All the Technical input, both off field and on field, farmers training, quality nursery materials were provided to the farmers free of cost. With the concept of kisan nurseries farmers were encouraged to grow their own quality plating materials. ETP raised in Kissan Nurseries Poplar Kisan nurseries are being raised since January 2007 at Vaishali and nearby areas. Till January, 2011 a total of 85 Lac plants have been raised in nursery in over 675 Ha. of land. Poplar Kisan Nursery in Vaishali distt. Under SASVPSY INSTITUTE OF FOREST PRODUCTIVITY (ICFRE), RANCHI 6

7. Financial Benefits to farmers • Farmers were motivated to raise poplar based kisan nursery with assurance of buy back. All the Technical input, both off field and on field farmers training, quality nursery materials were provided to the farmers. For nursery more than 8.00 lakhs ETP were brought from Haldwani. Quality Poplar ETP were purchased from the farmers @ Rs. 5.00 per ETP for distribution to the farmers. Rs 36.5 million rupees were given to farmers with some of the farmers getting more than Rs 8 lakh in four years. • Since last 4 years (2007-2010) a total of 7.22 Million of Poplar ETPs were produced by 575 (approx.) farmers in their Kisan Nurseries over 675 Ha. • This project not only generated additional income to the farmers but also generated wages to land less labourers. Cheques of Poplar Kisan Nursery under SASVPSY distributed to farmers by Hon. Dy. Chief Minister, Bihar and ADG, ICFRE. INSTITUTE OF FOREST PRODUCTIVITY (ICFRE), RANCHI 7

8. SUCCESS STORY Shree Sunil Kr. Rai, Village-Sheetal Bhakurar, Lalganj Block talks about the days when Life was infinitely more difficult for him than it is today. Despite owning 10 acres of land, he struggled financially as he could only grow crops during the rainy season. Even in a good year, he was able to harvest barely enough Tori and Moong for his family. If the rains failed, then the crops did too, leaving the family destitute. He was motivated under Agroforestry component of Samudai Adharit Samanvit Van Prabandhan Evam Sanrakshan Yojana (SASVPSY) implemented in Vaishali and nearby districts of Bihar to raise Poplar plantation and kisan nursery in 2006-2007. Initially, reluctantly, he agreed to raise the plantation in usar (saline) land. Earlier, in the same piece of land he tried to raise mango plantation but all his efforts failed. • Shree Rai claims that after raising of poplar nursery for two consecutive years, the soil condition of the saline land has improved. Presently the land has got Mango plantation with Poplar. In the same piece of 1.5 acre land, he got 7000 quintal of Tori and 1.5 quintal of Moong. Shri Rai on seeing the success increased the plantation covers of poplar. By raising nursery he earned Rs.8.5 lakh in four years. • He says that due to Poplar nursery, the condition of the usar soil which was non productive, has started giving return. He has purchased land in his hometown. Now he has enough money for his daughter’s marriage. From the Poplar plantation he is expecting to get additional earnings of Rs 15-20 Lakhs in coming 3-4 years. January, 2007 December, 2010 February, 2011 European Union Inter-Parliamentary delegate visit at Sunil Rai’s Village (Sheetal Bhakurar, Lalganj, Vaishali) on 13th April, 2011 to see the reform carried though Poplar based Agroforestry Program (SASVPSY). INSTITUTE OF FOREST PRODUCTIVITY (ICFRE), RANCHI 8

9. PLANTATION Poplar was the main species along with the other important species normally being planted in North Bihar. The quality planting stock materials i.e Teak, Eucalyptus etc were procured from the State Forest Department of Jharkhand, West Bengal and Chattisgarh. The table showing species wise achievement of plantation on farmers field are as under: Fig. in Lac INSTITUTE OF FOREST PRODUCTIVITY (ICFRE), RANCHI 9

10. POPLAR BASED AGROFORESTRY MODEL OUTSIDE THE NATURAL ZONE OF OCCURRENCES The present poplar growing region in Northern India is at higher altitude with better ecological conditions for growth. Vaishali district is situated at 210N latitude. However, IFP Ranchi is successful in establishing suitable Poplar based agroforestry model outside the Natural Zone of occurrences. It has opened new arena for socioeconomic development of farmers who are traditionally dependent on vagaries of monsoon. The project has provided additional income to the farmers from kisan nursery, wage to landless labourer in addition to providing wood based raw material to wood based industries Poplar in Natural Zone ( 4 yrs) Poplar at Vaishali, Bihar (2.5 yrs) INSTITUTE OF FOREST PRODUCTIVITY (ICFRE), RANCHI 10

11. ICFRE DEMONSTRATION CENTRES A field demonstration centre has been established at Goraul in 5.0 ha area. Another field demonstration centre has been established at Jadua, under Hajipur block in1.5 Ha area. INSTITUTE OF FOREST PRODUCTIVITY (ICFRE), RANCHI 11

12. FIELD DEMONSTRATION ON FARMER’S FIELD • For demonstration of agro-forestry models on farmer’s field, demonstration plots of minimum 0.5 ha area were established all over the Vaishali district on different locations. Such field demonstration plot had been established in a total of 55 ha area during 2007-08. In 2008-09, 8.0 ha new areas were developed as Farmers Demonstration Plots. Demo Plot at Patepur on Farmer’s Field INSTITUTE OF FOREST PRODUCTIVITY (ICFRE), RANCHI 12

13. Kisan Study Tour • 39 Kisan Study Tours of 25 farmers in each group had been organized. • Classroom training at Forest Training Academy (FTA), Haldwani, Uttakhand Visit of G. B. Pant Agriculture University, Pantnagar, • Visit of Poplar Center for Excellence under Central Tarai Division, Haldwani and Visit of farmer’s field for interaction. • Visit of FRI, Dehradun and Yamunanagar Poplar Plantation Area . INSTITUTE OF FOREST PRODUCTIVITY (ICFRE), RANCHI 13

14. Human Empowerment – Training Programs • Imparted trainer’s training to 314 trainers. • Imparted training at Jadua (Hajipur) training centre to 1561 farmers. • Imparted trainings to 129 SFD, Bihar officials and staff on Poplar based Agroforestry and • model nursery techniques. • Arranged field trainings at 98 selected villages and trained 3568 men/women farmers. • Arranged 15 pre planting farmer’s training with audio visual presentation to 1192 • farmers. INSTITUTE OF FOREST PRODUCTIVITY (ICFRE), RANCHI 14

15. TIE UP WITH WOOD BASED INDUSTRY A buyer seller meet was organized to provide common platform to the farmers of the region and plywood based industrialist of all India to have interaction. The delegation of industrialist were also taken to farmers field to apprise about the growth and yield of Poplar in the region. This generated confidence among the farmers. INSTITUTE OF FOREST PRODUCTIVITY (ICFRE), RANCHI 15

16. EXTENSION ACTIVITIES • 100 Extension workers have been engaged for extension of project activities • Following extension material/field manuals have been developed in Hindi for extension /distribution to beneficiaries. • Pamphlets on Agroforestry species viz. Poplar, Gamhar, Teak, Kadam, Semul, Bamboo and SASVPS project. • Booklet on Poplar, Bamboo, Kisan nursery and Krishi Vaniki ki Pramukh Prajati. • Project material related Extension materials prepared on multicolored Vinyl flex and Sunpack and fixed at different prominent locations in Vaishali district. • Documentary film titled “Silent Revolution”. • Handbill on Poplar Plantation & Nursery techniques in Hindi has been prepared & distributed to each Poplar ETP planter/beneficiary families. • A model of Model Nursery at Jadua and different models of Poplar based • Agroforestry is prepared and being placed at Sonpur fair. • Flex showing the Agroforestry models, planting techniques of Poplar and project achievements has been prepared and being placed at Sonpur fair. INSTITUTE OF FOREST PRODUCTIVITY (ICFRE), RANCHI 16

17. OUTCOME : 1. Livelihood and Poverty alleviation(With focus on employment generation) INSTITUTE OF FOREST PRODUCTIVITY (ICFRE), RANCHI 17

18. OUTCOME : 2. Expected yield of Polar in Vaishali Note : (1) Assuming 50 % survival as present assessment. (2) Assuming 6 year rotation. (3) Moderate growth of 5-7 quintal wood per tree INSTITUTE OF FOREST PRODUCTIVITY (ICFRE), RANCHI 18

19. OUTCOME : 3. Climate change by Carbon Sequestration Carbon Sequestration under the project as of now : INSTITUTE OF FOREST PRODUCTIVITY (ICFRE), RANCHI 19

20. OUTCOME : 4. Relaxation in Transit Regulations • With the initiative of ICFRE, Dehradun and Govt of Bihar vide notification dated Feb 27, 2009 has removed 10 species namely Poplar, Eucalyptus, kadam, gamhar, mango, litchi, taad, khajoor, bamboo and semal from the purview of felling and transit regulations. INSTITUTE OF FOREST PRODUCTIVITY (ICFRE), RANCHI 20

21. Conclusion • Farming community starting from small and medium to big farmers are taking immense interest in plantation and acquiring skills for qualitative improvement of Poplar & other species plantation. • Project has generated 8 Lac Man days within the span of 3 years and it will go up as the plantations reach their rotation age. It has involved landless poor to big farmers including working women. • 1.8 million MT of industrial wood raw material will be available in coming years as the plantation will attain their 6 years maturity. • Twigs & lops and tops of plants replaces fossil fuel and leads to considerable reduction carbon emission. • As per present estimate till this stage project activities has sequestrated 1.5 Lac MT of atmospheric carbon. • As per estimate project activities has enriched soil organic carbon by adding 2 t of leaf litter/Ha in 21K Ha of operations. • Agroforestry plantation will add 3-4 times (Rs 70-80K /Ha/Yr) more revenue to the community in addition to agriculture yield. INSTITUTE OF FOREST PRODUCTIVITY (ICFRE), RANCHI 21

22. Thus this concept of Community Based Integrated Forestry Management & Conservation needs to be replicated in the remaining districts of north Bihar in order to : • Create sustainable livelihood base for rural community • Great resource base of industrial wood • Transformation in climate change strategies and • Opening of new dimension relates to carbon trade. INSTITUTE OF FOREST PRODUCTIVITY (ICFRE), RANCHI 22

23. Dignitaries visits to SASVPSY – Project Area INSTITUTE OF FOREST PRODUCTIVITY (ICFRE), RANCHI 23