P.K. Ramachandran Nair, professor of agro-forestry in the University of Florida and a world authority on the subject, has called for an integrated approach to promote agro-forestry practices in India. He was here to attend a workshop on "Scientific writing in agriculture and natural resources management" at Kerala Agricultural University."Like our mono-specific agriculture production system, our research and development activities are also compartmentalised," he said.Agro-forestry, a relatively new name for the age-old practice of multi-crop farming, is an effective system to address major ecological issues such as global warming, depletion of groundwater table and soil erosion.Traditional mixed species production systems have given way to mono-specific production systems in agriculture and forestry."Drastic changes in land use have caused problems such as land degradation, climate change and loss of biodiversity. Deforestation, along with a high rate of fossil fuel consumption, has contributed to rising levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide. Integrated production systems involving woody perennials and herbaceous crops have considerable potential to sequester (trap) atmospheric carbon dioxide, a major contributor of global warming. It will also enhance the quality of soils and water bodies," he said.The traditional multi-crop system was brought under the purview of modern, scientific land use only in the past three decades.
The Hindu, 24th October 2008
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