Agroforestry: its relation with agronomy, challenges and opportunities Dhyani S.K., Newaj Ram*, Sharma A.R.1 National Research Centre for Agroforestry, Gwalior Road, Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh 284 003. * Corresponding author: (E mail: ramnewaj@gmail.com)
1 Division of Agronomy, IARI, New Delhi 110 012. Abstract Agroforestry has gained popularity among farmers, researchers, policy makers and other for its ability to contribute significantly in meeting deficit of tree products, socio-economic and environmental benefits. Agroforestry is a land use option that increase livelihood security and reduce vulnerability to climate and environmental change. According to Planning Commission report “Greening India”, that 33% forest cover can only be achieved through agroforestry. The Prime Minister released India's National Action Plan on ‘Climate Change’ recently and The National Action Plan focuses attention on 8 priority National Missions in which Greening India and sustainable agriculture having close relation with agroforestry. In agriculture, agronomy as sub-discipline deals with multiple cropping (intercropping, mixed cropping, sequential cropping), soil management, crop production and all the ways in which soils and crops interact and also interfaces between two species. In agronomy, mixed cropping might be considered to be similar to that of agri-silviculture, which is one of the systems of agroforestry. Agroforestry as a multidisciplinary approach needs agronomist, soil scientist, forester, plant physiologist, economist, extension, social scientist and others to undertake research on its various aspects. The basic principles of agronomy are also applicable in agroforestry research and agroforestry is a complex system than other fields of agriculture. Top Key words Agroforestry, Agronomy, Environmental control, Mixed cropping, Silviculture. Top |