MoU signed for Sub-Mission on Agroforestry (SMAF) Scheme:
Under the current Sub-Mission on Agroforestry (SMAF) Scheme, a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmer Welfare and the Central Silk Board aims to develop a model for the integration of agriculture and forestry in the silk sector.
Highlights:
♦ The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding aims to enable farmers to follow a sericulture-based agro-forestry model, thereby contributing to the development of Indian manufacturing and the Prime Minister`s global vision.
♦ This link will give agriculture and forestry a new dimension, allowing growers to earn higher returns and supporting the development of India`s popular silk series.
♦ The production of agroforestry in the silk industry will be promoted by the Central Silk Board.
About Sub-Mission on Agroforestry (SMAF):
♦ The programme has been in place since 2016-16 and is based on guidelines from the 2014 National Agroforestry Policy.
♦ In 20 states and two UTs, the Department of Agriculture, Cooperation, and Farmer Welfare is implementing the programme.
♦ The National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture is in charge of this sub-mission (NMSA).
♦ SMAF aims to encourage farmers to plant multi-purpose trees together with agricultural crops for:
♦ Climate resilience
♦ Additional source of income to the farmers
♦ Enhanced raw materials for the wood and herbal medicine industry
♦ As a result, in addition to long-term wood species usage, a concerted effort to include medicinal, fruit, fodder, tree-borne oil seeds, lac host, and other uses is needed.
♦ Mulberry, Asan, Arjuna, Som, Soalu, Kesseru, BadaKesseru, Phanat, and other sericulture host plants will be planted as block plantations and farmland boundaries or surrounding plantations.
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