Nurturing future of Assam's agroforestry: Training on nursery accreditation and rating in Guwahati

Guwahati: In a bid to promote sustainable and resilient agroforestry practices in Assam, a three-day training on Nursery Accreditation and Rating was held in Guwahati from September 26-28.

Organized by the Center for International Forestry Research & World Agroforestry (CIFOR-ICRAF), the Central Agroforestry Research Institute (CAFRI), and the Assam Environment and Forest Department, the training aimed to equip professionals from various organizations with the knowledge and skills necessary to assess and accredit nurseries.

The training programme, conducted at the Indian Institute of Bank Management, Guwahati, saw the participation of 30 delegates representing diverse organizations, including government departments, academic institutions, and non-governmental organizations.

Experts from the Central Agroforestry Research Institute Jhanshi provided comprehensive theoretical sessions and practical field exercises, enabling participants to gain hands-on experience in nursery assessment and accreditation protocols.

Dr. C Ramesh, Chief Conservator of Forest (CCF) of Assam, highlighted the significance of nursery accreditation in ensuring the production of quality planting material.

He emphasized the importance of this initiative in building a resilient agroforestry system for farmers and contributing to the overall development of the region.

Assam government's Commissioner & Secretary Kavita Padmanabhan commended the Trees Outside Forests in India (TOFI) program for its efforts in promoting agroforestry in the state.

She urged the participants to take the training forward to the field and collaborate with farmers and other stakeholders to implement the program effectively.

Dr. R Bordoloi, Director, Extension Education Institute, MoA&FW, emphasized the role of agroforestry in conserving Assam's unique biodiversity and the importance of nursery accreditation in producing quality planting material.

The training program concluded with the participants being empanelled as nursery auditors. These newly trained auditors will play a crucial role in assessing nurseries based on the nursery accreditation protocol developed by ICAR-CAFRI.

The accreditation process will help ensure that nurseries meet the necessary standards for producing high-quality planting material, contributing to the growth and sustainability of agroforestry in Assam.