GS Paper III

News Excerpt:

Recently, NITI Aayog launched a GROW Report and Portal, providing state-wise and district-wise analysis for greening and restoration projects.

About the GROW project:

• It is a multi-institutional effort led by NITI Aayog, it will utilize remote sensing and GIS to assess agroforestry suitability across all districts in India. 
• Using thematic datasets, an Agroforestry Suitability Index (ASI) is also developed for national-level prioritization.
• The GROW report will provide state-wise and district-wise analysis to government departments and industries for greening and restoration projects.
• This initiative underscores the potential benefits of converting underutilized areas, especially wastelands, for agroforestry.
• This initiative also aligns with national commitments, aiming to restore 26 million hectares of degraded land by 2030 and create an additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent.
• This project will reap long-term benefits and promote the use of space technology in agriculture.

Purpose of GROW Initiative:

• This initiative represents a monumental step towards achieving sustainability and resilience in land use.
• By harnessing the power of technology and collaborative expertise, it will help in transforming India’s landscape, turning wastelands into thriving agroforestry systems.
• This initiative will help in environmental restoration and in setting a global benchmark for sustainable development practices.
• This initiative’s impact on India’s green cover, carbon sequestration efforts, and agricultural productivity will be profound, paving the way for a greener, more sustainable future.

Significance of the agroforestry project:

• Due to the significance of goods and services provided by agroforestry, the Union Budget of GoI (FY 2022-23) has underlined the promotion of agroforestry and private forestry as a priority.
• There is a need for the promotion of agroforestry especially for 3 things i.e 
  • Reducing import of wood and wood products, 
  • Carbon sequestration to combat climate change at global and national levels.
  • Addressing sub-optimal use of arable land.  
• This project will enable us to convert shared fallow land and culturable wastelands into productive use through agroforestry.
• This project aligns with global commitments made by India like, the Paris Agreement, Bonn Challenge, UN Sustainable Development Goals, United Nations Convention on Combating Desertification (UNCCD), Doubling Farmers Income, Green India Mission, etc.

What is Agroforestry?

• Agroforestry combines agricultural and forestry technologies to create integrated diverse and productive land use systems. 
• It is a multi-functional land use system that offers opportunities for economic gain, livelihood, nutrition, better health and a more sustainable environment.
• Agroforestry can also be defined as a dynamic, ecologically based, natural resource management system 
• It diversifies and sustains production for increased social, economic and environmental benefits for land users at all levels, through the integration of trees on farms and in the agricultural landscape.
• Any crop can be grown under agroforestry, but shade-loving crops perform better once the shade increases. 
• Poplars, Eucalyptus, Dalbergia, Neem, Acacia, Melia, Tectona, Ailanthus, Gmelina, Bamboo, Leucaena, Casuarina, and Mangium hybrid are some popular trees integrated under agroforestry.

Agroforestry in India:

• Agroforestry is an age-old practice in our country. Agroforestry research itself in the country is more than 100 years old. 
• India has been at the forefront ever since organized research on agroforestry was started worldwide. 
• Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) launched the All India Coordinated Research Project on Agroforestry (AICRPAF) with 20 centres in 1983. 
• At present, there are 37 centres – 26 in SAUs, 10 in ICAR and 01 in ICFRE Institutes representing all the agro-climates in the country. 
• At present, agroforestry meets almost half of the fuelwood needs for the country, around two-thirds of small timber, 70-80 percent of plywood, 60 percent of the raw material for paper pulp, and 9-11 percent of the green fodder requirement of livestock, as well as meeting subsistence needs of households for food, fruit, fibre, medicine, etc.

Current status of Agroforestry in India:

• Based on GIS and remote-sensing techniques, the ICAR-Central Agroforestry Research Institute estimates agroforestry to cover about 25 million hectares in the 15 agroclimatic zones of the country. 
• It is popular among large and wealthy farmers with large enough landholdings to diversify income and experiment with crops.
• A rough estimate suggests the number of farmers adopting the practice is less than 5 million.

Conclusion:

The launch of the GROW Report and Portal by NITI Aayog marks a significant step towards promoting agroforestry in India. With its potential to enhance sustainability, and livelihoods, and address environmental challenges, agroforestry emerges as a crucial solution aligning with national and global commitments for a greener future.