Minor fruit trees in agroforestry for addressing nutritional, medicinal, fodder and timber needs

Abstract

The paper highlights multiple uses of minor fruit trees and advocates their incorporation in agroforestry system for conservation of biodiversity, self-sufficiency in fruit, timber and top feed. Minor fruits are major source of nutrition to rural poor as they have poor access to major fruits. Timber wood import of country is looming large year after year and poor people have to bear burnt of increased prices. Minor fruits on their field bunds will meet their timber requirement without demanding additional land and care, and will constitute long term investment by poor farmers for their future generations. Animal husbandry is integral part of farming in India. Due to conversion of grazing lands to other land-uses, fodder shortage is hampering milk/meat production. Provision of top feed on farm-land will add to farmers' income by supplying green fodder as top feed in lean period. Many minor fruit trees have more than one utility; hence, they should be preferred under agroforestry. This will not only assist in conservation of these species but also in meeting the various requirements of the farmers e.g. nutrition, top feed, fuelwood and raw material for pharmaceutical.