At the second annual workshop of Consortium of Industrial Agroforestry (CIAF) conducted on 27th September at Forest College and Research Institute, Mettupalayam, TNAU and Tamil Nadu Small & Tiny Industries Association (TANSTIA), Chennai signed a Memorandum of Agreement which would pave way for identifying biomass based fuel briquetting technology to be transferred to potential entrepreneurs for enhancing employment opportunities and augmenting socio-economic status of the entrepreneurs.
Over the years, the Consortium has established price supportive system for major tree species like teak, Gmelina, subabul, Melia, Kadam, Casuarina, Eucalyptus, Mahagony and Neem which is very much utilized and appreciated by the tree growing farmers. Representatives from various sectors like wood based industries, felling and marketing group, farmers, traders, scientists, professors and research personnel from various State Agricultural Universities (SAU’s) and ICAR institutes, Farmer Producer Organizations from Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra and Madhya Prades took part in the workshop.
Dr. K. Ramasamy, Vice-Chancellor of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), Dr. D. Sudhakar, Registrar, TNAU, Deepak Srivastava, I.F.S., Chief Conservator of Forests and Dean, Forest College and Research Institute, Mettupalayam, T.P. Raghunath I.F.S., Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Social Forestry & Extension), TN Forest Department, Chennai, C. Babu, Chairman, TANSTIA, Chennai and participants representing various State and Central Government organizations, private firms, NGO’s, traders, farmers, scientists, banking and insurance sector, research and extension personnel of SAU’s ICAR research institutes were also present.
Dr. K.T. Parthiban, Professor & Consortium Co-ordinator welcomed the participants and highlighted the activities and achievements of CIAF like clone based organized plantation development programme, establishment of institutions like plantation developers, felling and marketing group and associated value addition industries played potential role in agroforestry promotion.
In his introductory address, Deepak Srivastava, I.F.S., Chief Conservator of Forests and Dean, Forest College and Research Institute, Mettupalayam, emphasized the significance of Agroforestry systems and Agri-Hortisilviculture. He also threw light on the concept of “Trees Outside Forests” and stressed on the importance of developing drought resistant tree species.
C. Babu, Chairman, TANSTIA, Chennai, apprised that regular awareness programmes are being conducted on e-tendering, a digital based marketing system, which is catching up to a greater extent in this digital era. He also sensitized that the association act as a bridge between the producers and traders enhancing the market potential which in turn help the farmers to get a profitable out-turn.
Dr. D. Sudhakar, Registrar, TNAU, briefed the importance of increasing forest cover of our country. He also shared his views on the need for developing profitable agroforestry models for the farmers.
T.P. Raghunath, I.F.S., Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Social Forestry & Extension)TN Forest Department, Chennai, shared his views on Joint Forest Management (JFM), community planting, biodiversity. He also stated that TNAU has implemented a Value Chain Project on Industrial Agroforestry in TN during 2008 which linked almost all the stakeholders in the value chain process. After conceptualization of the value chain model for industrial agroforestry, a unique Public Private Partnership Mode consortia evidenced successful development of industrial wood plantations.
Dr.K.Ramasamy, Vice-Chancellor of TNAU, Coimbatore, in his presidential address emphasized the importance of native tree species. He also shared his views on the scope of enhancing the medicinal value of tree crops. Further, he ascertained the need for the up liftment of the farming community by way of implementing village adoption programme. He briefed the utility of various tree species in making various tools and other farm implements. Strengthening of farmer based approach in the cultivation and marketing of tree species is the need of the hour. The presidential address was followed by the launch of a logo of Consortium of Industrial Agroforestry and release of books by Dr. K. Ramasamy, Vice-Chancellor, TNAU.
Release of books were followed by the presentation of awards to progressive and outstanding farmers and the consortium members. The inaugural session was followed by tree planting done by the participants in the Agroforestry field of Forest College and Research Institute, Mettupalayam.
Over the years, the Consortium has established price supportive system for major tree species like teak, Gmelina, subabul, Melia, Kadam, Casuarina, Eucalyptus, Mahagony and Neem which is very much utilized and appreciated by the tree growing farmers. Representatives from various sectors like wood based industries, felling and marketing group, farmers, traders, scientists, professors and research personnel from various State Agricultural Universities (SAU’s) and ICAR institutes, Farmer Producer Organizations from Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra and Madhya Prades took part in the workshop.
Dr. K. Ramasamy, Vice-Chancellor of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), Dr. D. Sudhakar, Registrar, TNAU, Deepak Srivastava, I.F.S., Chief Conservator of Forests and Dean, Forest College and Research Institute, Mettupalayam, T.P. Raghunath I.F.S., Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Social Forestry & Extension), TN Forest Department, Chennai, C. Babu, Chairman, TANSTIA, Chennai and participants representing various State and Central Government organizations, private firms, NGO’s, traders, farmers, scientists, banking and insurance sector, research and extension personnel of SAU’s ICAR research institutes were also present.
Dr. K.T. Parthiban, Professor & Consortium Co-ordinator welcomed the participants and highlighted the activities and achievements of CIAF like clone based organized plantation development programme, establishment of institutions like plantation developers, felling and marketing group and associated value addition industries played potential role in agroforestry promotion.
In his introductory address, Deepak Srivastava, I.F.S., Chief Conservator of Forests and Dean, Forest College and Research Institute, Mettupalayam, emphasized the significance of Agroforestry systems and Agri-Hortisilviculture. He also threw light on the concept of “Trees Outside Forests” and stressed on the importance of developing drought resistant tree species.
C. Babu, Chairman, TANSTIA, Chennai, apprised that regular awareness programmes are being conducted on e-tendering, a digital based marketing system, which is catching up to a greater extent in this digital era. He also sensitized that the association act as a bridge between the producers and traders enhancing the market potential which in turn help the farmers to get a profitable out-turn.
Dr. D. Sudhakar, Registrar, TNAU, briefed the importance of increasing forest cover of our country. He also shared his views on the need for developing profitable agroforestry models for the farmers.
T.P. Raghunath, I.F.S., Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Social Forestry & Extension)TN Forest Department, Chennai, shared his views on Joint Forest Management (JFM), community planting, biodiversity. He also stated that TNAU has implemented a Value Chain Project on Industrial Agroforestry in TN during 2008 which linked almost all the stakeholders in the value chain process. After conceptualization of the value chain model for industrial agroforestry, a unique Public Private Partnership Mode consortia evidenced successful development of industrial wood plantations.
Dr.K.Ramasamy, Vice-Chancellor of TNAU, Coimbatore, in his presidential address emphasized the importance of native tree species. He also shared his views on the scope of enhancing the medicinal value of tree crops. Further, he ascertained the need for the up liftment of the farming community by way of implementing village adoption programme. He briefed the utility of various tree species in making various tools and other farm implements. Strengthening of farmer based approach in the cultivation and marketing of tree species is the need of the hour. The presidential address was followed by the launch of a logo of Consortium of Industrial Agroforestry and release of books by Dr. K. Ramasamy, Vice-Chancellor, TNAU.
Release of books were followed by the presentation of awards to progressive and outstanding farmers and the consortium members. The inaugural session was followed by tree planting done by the participants in the Agroforestry field of Forest College and Research Institute, Mettupalayam.