ICAR Research Complex for Eastern Region, Patna, reaffirming its commitment to sustainable agricultural development and livelihood enhancement in tribal areas, successfully organized a three-day skill-oriented training programme on "Establishment and Management of Multitier Agroforestry Model" from 13–15 July 2026. The programme aimed to strengthen the knowledge and practical skills of participants on the establishment, scientific management, and economic benefits of multitier agroforestry systems for enhancing productivity, resource-use efficiency, climate resilience, and income generation in rainfed and tribal farming ecosystems. The program was held at its Farming System Research Centre for Hill and Plateau Region (FSRCHPR) in Ranchi.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Guest, encouraged farmers to diversify their upland farming systems by adopting agroforestry-based models to enhance the productivity of these underutilized land classes and generate higher and more sustainable farm income.
The training coordinators, highlighted the major challenges faced by farmers practicing rainfed agriculture in the uplands of Jharkhand. They emphasized the need to promote tree-based farming systems, particularly multitier agroforestry models, for the productive and sustainable utilization of upland areas. They explained that integrating fruit, timber, and other perennial tree species with annual crops can improve soil health, enhance resource-use efficiency, diversify farm production, and provide higher and year-round income to farming households.
A delegation of 26 progressive farmers from three villages of Lohardaga district, Jharkhand, participated in this intensive three-day training programme. The curriculum was carefully designed to provide participants with comprehensive theoretical knowledge and hands-on practical exposure to the planning, establishment, and management of multitier agroforestry systems. The programme covered the scientific layout of multitier system, selection of suitable perennial fruit crops, timber tree species, and compatible intercrops for rainfed uplands.
Plantation Expert from PRADAN, a partner organization collaborating with ICAR-RCER for the upscaling of the multitier agroforestry system in Jharkhand, shared his practical experiences and insights with participants on the establishment, management, and successful implementation of multitier agroforestry systems in farmers' fields across different locations in the state. He also highlighted the challenges encountered during implementation and the strategies adopted to ensure successful establishment and long-term sustainability of these models.
The training also included advanced production technologies such as high-density planting, selection of improved fruit varieties, Tephrosia biomass mulching, raised-bed cultivation under mulch with drip fertigation, balanced nutrient management, compost preparation techniques, integrated pest management, nursery management, and horticulture-based integrated farming systems. The programme effectively blended classroom lectures with practical demonstrations and interactive field sessions to enhance participants' technical skills and confidence.
To promote the on-field adoption of the technologies demonstrated during the training, the participants were provided with seeds of improved vegetable varieties along with planting materials of mango, guava, and mahogany. These inputs will facilitate the establishment of a 5-acre multitier agroforestry demonstration in farmer’s field, enabling farmers to evaluate and showcase the technology under local field conditions.
(Source: ICAR- Research Complex for Eastern Region, Patna)
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