Question

First Agroforestry Policy came in the year? ______________

• A. 2014
• B. 2010
• C. 1988
• D. 2016

Hint:

India was a global pioneer in this regard. The 2014 policy helped simplify the rules for harvesting and transporting "farm-grown" timber, which was previously a major headache for farmers.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Understanding the Question:
This question asks for the year India launched its dedicated national policy to promote agroforestry (integration of trees on farms).

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:

• In February 2014, India became the first country in the world to adopt a comprehensive National Agroforestry Policy. It was unveiled during the World Congress on Agroforestry held in New Delhi.

• The policy aims to overcome hurdles such as restrictive felling and transit laws for trees grown on private lands, provide institutional credit and insurance to farmers, and increase the forest/tree cover of the nation.

• It recognizes that agroforestry is essential for meeting the nation's 33% forest cover goal, as most of the new expansion must happen on private and agricultural lands rather than traditional forest boundaries.

• The policy seeks to incentivize farmers to plant trees along with their regular crops to enhance their income, ensure raw material supply for wood-based industries, and promote climate change mitigation.

• Although the 1988 Forest Policy (option C) mentioned agroforestry, it was not a dedicated agroforestry policy; the specific, focused policy only arrived in 2014.

Step 3: Final Answer:
The first National Agroforestry Policy was launched in 2014.