A Golden Opportunity for Farmers

Promoting Agroforestry with Fair Prices

Farmers across Uttarakhand grow trees on their agricultural land as a means of generating additional income and contribute to environmental sustainability. However, in the absence of an organized and transparent market system, they often struggle to receive a fair price. Due to dependence on local traders and middlemen, timber is frequently sold at lower rates, reducing the overall benefit to farmers and discouraging further plantation.

Recognizing this challenge, the UKFDC has taken an important step to support farmers and strengthen agroforestry practices. In an effort to promote agroforestry with assured fair price for trees like eucalyptus and poplar, Uttarakhand Forest Development Corporation proposes to directly purchase eucalyptus and poplar trees from farmers. This initiative ensures a fair, transparent, and reliable system for the sale of farm-grown timber.

Highlights

• Direct purchase from farmers
• Eliminates middlemen
• Fair and transparent pricing
• Standardized measurement system for timber valuation
• Direct payment to farmers' bank accounts
• All procedures of transit permits and transportation is borne by UKFDC

Takeaways

Farmers will benefit from a secure and transparent selling system, leading to increased income and renewed confidence in agroforestry. This initiative will encourage wider adoption of agroforestry and contributes to environmental conservation and rural economic growth.