Coimbatore: "Agroforestry has helped in providing the resources for wood-based industries, thereby eliminating the need from the forests and helping in the conservation of forests", informed Dr. Kumar, VC of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) at the the Consortium of Industrial Agro- Forestry (CIAF) at the Government Forest College and Research Center, Mettupalayam, on Thursday.
Coimbatore: "Agroforestry has helped in providing the resources for wood-based industries, thereby eliminating the need from the forests and helping in the conservation of forests", informed Dr. Kumar, VC of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) at the the Consortium of Industrial Agro- Forestry (CIAF) at the Government Forest College and Research Center, Mettupalayam, on Thursday.
Speaking at the event, he threw light on the benefits of Agroforestry and pointed that it has helped in providing resources for wood-based industries, thereby eliminating the need from the forests and helping in the conservation of forests.
"The Forest College has integrated the scheme, thereby producing wood for the industries, through farmers. This will help the environment and the rates for the product are fixed by the Agriculture University, thereby helping the farmers livelihood, too", the VC told.
He added that the timber needs of the country have led to the import of wood from other countries. Upto 80% timber is being imported. Research is being undertaken to explore the possibilities of coordinating farmers and growing the required timber, within the country, which may be implemented.
Industrial Agro-forestry, strengthening of farming of woods and marketing of the grown trees and cultivation of timber were the topics discussed at the conference.
The event was presided by the Principal of the College, Parthiban, representatives of wood-based industries, farmers, agricultural scientists, government officials, financial institutions and more than 200 other members of farmers federation took part in the conference.