Agroforestry In The Silk Sector

Agroforestry In The Silk Sector

Part of: GS Prelims and GS – III – Agriculture; Economy

In news

• A MoU was signed between the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and Central Silk Board.

• It is about a convergence model for the implementation of Agroforestry in the silk sector under the Sub-Mission on Agroforestry (SMAF) Scheme.

• Objective: Augmentation of sericulture host plants (Mulberry, Asan, Arjuna, Som, Soalu, Kesseru, BadaKesseru, Phanat) to be cultivated both as block plantations and border plantations on farmlands.

Important value additions

The Central Silk Board (CSB) 

• It is a Statutory Body.
• Established: 1948
• Ministry: Ministry of Textiles 
• Headquarter: Bengaluru

Sub-Mission on Agroforestry (SMAF) Scheme

• Implemented by: The Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare (DAC & FW) since 2016-17 
• This scheme is a part of the recommendation of the National Agroforestry Policy 2014.
• India is the first country to have such a comprehensive policy 
• It was launched at the World Agroforestry Congress held in Delhi in February 2014.
• At present, the scheme is being implemented in 20 States and 2 UTs.
• Aim: To encourage farmers to plant multi-purpose trees together with the agriculture crops for climate resilience and an additional source of income to the farmers.