Successful Training Program on Tree Outside Forests in India and Commitment to Establish Agroforestry Clusters

Dinesh Gaur

Seyyon Organic Farm is delighted to announce the successful completion of a comprehensive training program on “Tree Outside Forests in India” conducted at Seyyon Organic Farms, located at Eechampatti Village , NAMAKKAL District.

The event, held recently, aimed to educate and empower progressive farmers and various stakeholders on the importance and benefits of cultivating trees outside forests.

The training program witnessed an overwhelming participation of more than 150 farmers and stakeholders from diverse backgrounds. Notable attendees included retired senior forest officers, DCF Green Tamilnadu , Director from TN Agricultural University, the Dean from Mettupalyam Forestry College, a senior consultant from NMPB Kerala, and the former VC UHS B, who also serves as an Advisor to World Agro Forestry, CIFOR. The event was chaired by Dr. Chandrashekar Biradar, the India Head of CIFOR, TOFI who provided valuable insights and expertise throughout the program. Dr. Murugaselvam, Managing PARTNER of Seyyonfarms, and Mr. Mallesh Lingachar, Sandalwood Technologist, EC Member of IAFT Karnataka, and Co-CEO & Director of Cogent Architects, played instrumental roles in organizing the program and ensuring its success.

During the training sessions, participants gained in-depth knowledge about the cultivation and management of trees outside forests, sustainable agroforestry practices, CARBON CREDIT and the economic and environmental benefits associated with these endeavors. The sessions were highly interactive, featuring practical demonstrations, expert presentations, and group discussions, allowing participants to exchange ideas and learn from each other’s experiences.

One of the key messages delivered by Dr. Chandrashekar Biradar, the program chair, was the significance of incorporating green vegetables and fruits into our daily diet. He emphasized that our current consumption of such nutritious food is significantly low, at less than 5% of our daily food plate. Dr. Biradar urged participants to aim for a target of 33% of green vegetables and fruits in their daily meals. He also highlighted the availability of millions of hectares of barren and unused land that can be transformed into agroforestry clusters, enabling the creation of nutritious food forests with minimal effort. Dr. Biradar encouraged farmers to take up economically viable and environmentally sustainable plantations on their private land.

Furthermore, Dr. Murugaselvam, the Managing PARTNER of Seyyon Organic farms, expressed his commitment to dedicating his life to transforming farmers towards building extensive agroforestry clusters. He added through Multi Level Farming, he has been able to grow different Climate Trees and Medicinal Plants in single location which is unique. By establishing this high density plantation , he said has created more ways to create additional Income, year after year. He announced that Seyyonfarms would continue to provide free training to individuals interested in the field, aiming to encourage more people to participate in agroforestry and contribute to sustainable agriculture.

Mr. Mallesh Lingachar emphasized the focus on building agroforestry models using AI technology and establishing a robust knowledge platform. He mentioned that Seyyonfarms is actively collaborating with CIFOR to achieve the seemingly impossible goal of establishing 1 lakh hectares of agroforestry clusters. Mr. Lingachar highlighted the Managing Director’s full commitment to providing the necessary resources to achieve this milestone. The collaboration aims to significantly reduce the carbon footprint through the creation of these clusters.

The former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Horticultural Sciences, Bangalore, and advisor to World Agroforestry stressed the importance of cultivating native, highly nutritious vegetables and fruits within agroforestry clusters. He highlighted that trees can survive without human beings, whereas humans cannot survive without trees.

The program chair also announced the TOFI Campion award to Dr Murugaselvam, Managing Partner, Seyyon Organic Farm. The high density plantation involving more than 900 trees per acre that involves high value timber trees like sandalwood, red sanders along with medicinal plants. To date the Seyyon farms is having more than 60 verity of plants which makes them as best organic plantation in India.

The program ended by distributing training certificates, free saplings to all farmers and stake holders attended the event.