Issues of Horticulture and Forestry

Horticulture-2/”>Horticulture :
The agrarian state of Andhra Pradesh is heading towards a value addition platform from the conventional production approach. ‘Horticulture’ sector has been recognized as an essential component for food and nutritional security in the State. Efforts are being made to make Andhra Pradesh maintain its supremacy in the production of Oilpalm, Papaya, Citrus and Chillies, Mango and Tomato. Micro Irrigation through drip and sprinkler mechanisms have proved effective both in terms of cost and output. The government is implementing strategies to make Rayalaseema as a Horticulture hub.
Under extension programme undertaken in a big way, it is targeted to cover one million farmers in next three years under Farmer Producer Organisations for agriculture & Allied sectors in order to establish forward and backward linkages and to promote the products of Andhra Pradesh to global standards. It contributes about 8.18% of the State GVA and is moving towards value enhancement in addition to focus on production. The Government is committed to encourage horticulture and it is expected that value addition from this sub-sector will soon cross the agriculture share
Wide range of agro-climatic conditions of Andhra Pradesh are conducive for growing a large variety of Horticultural crops, including, root and tuber crops, ornamental crops, Plantation Crops like coconut, cashew and cocoa etc. During the year 2016-17, the Government has set a target of 20% Growth in output and to achieve this, there is need for new initiatives, new interventions and implementations with the support and coordination of farmers and entrepreneurs.
Horticulture – the key growth driver in Primary Sector :
The State Government has developed a comprehensive strategy for achieving sustainable and inclusive double digit economic growth to make the state of Andhra Pradesh amongst the three best states in India by 2022 and a developed state by 2029 on key social and economic indicators.
The Government is committed to the farmer centric programmes and identified horticulture sector as one of the top priority sectors. This vision is sought to be realized through seven inter-related Missions and Primary Sector Mission is one among them consisting of agriculture and allied sectors. GVA from Horticulture Sector during 2016- 17 was Rs.34013 crores (constant price) with a growth rate of 17.00% over 2015-16. The returns from Horticulture per unit of land are higher as compared to Agriculture. Horticulture, as a Climate resilient alternative involving less risk, assures higher income to farmers.
In the context of Global Warming & Climate Change and increasing per capita income of middle class, this sector has more potential as food habits are changing and people are becoming more Health conscious. During the year 2016-17 the area under Horticulture crops is 15.92 lakhs acres with a production of 268.57 lakh MTs. Andhra Pradesh stands at 1stposition in productivity for Chillies, Cocoa, Lime, Oil Palm, Papaya and Tomato, 2nd in Cashew, Mango and Sweet Orange in India. A.P. Ranks 1st in area and production of fruits and spices and 2nd in Micro Irrigation area coverage. Area and Production of Horticultural crops during 2016-17 and 2017-18
Productivity of Horticulture Crops :
Andhra Pradesh stands at 1st position in productivity for Chillies (5 MTs/Ha), Oil Palm (19 MTs/Ha), Papaya (100 MTs/ Ha) and Tomato(44MTs/Ha), 2nd in Cashew (0.9 MT/Ha), Mango (12 MTs/Ha) and Sweet Orange(20Mts/Ha) in India.

AP Coconut trees record highest productivity:
Andhra Pradesh stands at 4th position in coconut cultivation with an area of 261430 acres and production of 209144 no. of nuts in lakhs. The Average productivity of coconut in the country is 4247 nuts/acre, where as the State stands at First position in productivity with 5482 nuts/acre. Best quality ball copra is produced in Andhra Pradesh.
Oil Palm :
only tree species with highest edible oil recovery Andhra Pradesh ranks 1st in area and production of Oil Palm in India. This is the only tree species that is 100% under Contract Farming with tie up of processing Plants for extraction of oil and income from the tree is all round the year. In A.P. this crop is presently under cultivation in 3,91,562 acres with 14.82 lakh MTs production.

Forest

Andhra Pradesh State is bestowed with two mighty river systems of Krishna and Godavari. The State has wide and varied vegetation types enriched by a variety of Flora and Fauna. Andhra Pradesh located strategically in the central region of the Indian sub-continent, has representatives of the magnificent Indian plant and animal life. Its varied topography ranging from the hills of Eastern Ghats and Nallamallas to the shores of Bay of Bengal supports varied ecotypes, which in turn support a rich diversity of flora & fauna.
Packed with abundance of rich flora and fauna life, the forests in Andhra Pradesh make for highly rejuvenating getaways. Tourists often head to the forests near Andhra Pradesh to experience jungle safaris. The famed wildlife in Andhra Pradesh is mainly scattered across these forests. While the benefits from dense forests are numerous, the tangible benefits like Timber, Bamboo, Fuel wood, Fodder, Non-Timber Forest Products etc., are quantifiable. Intangible benefits like maintenance of ecological balance, conservation of Soil and moisture, regulating the water flow, sequestering carbon-dioxide from the Atmosphere etc., are not quantified but are of great signifiance.
Forest cover has been recognized as critical for a living Environment as it influences the quality and quantity of air and water. The role of forests as carbon sinks endows them added recognition as an important environmental factor. With the responsibility of management of forests vested with the State Forest administration, the Central interventions are directed essentially towards reinforcing the capacity of States to undertake the National Policy mandates towards conservation and sustainable use of Resources. The core objective of forest sector development strategy is to enhance green cover by integrating it with livelihood opportunities.
As per the forest records, the state ranks 9th in India having forest cover area of 36909.38 Sq. Kms which amounts to 23.04%. Of this forest area, the Very Dense Forest is 649.79 Sq. Kms the Moderate Dense Forest is 11792.18 Sq. Kms, Open Forest is 10931.01 Sq. Kms Scrub Forest is 9455.24. Kms Non-Forest is 3708.08 Sq. Kms and Water Bodies is 373.08 Sq. Kms.

Forest Produce:

The Departmental Extraction of Timber, Fuel and Pulp Wood, Faggot Wood, Long Bamboo and Bamboo Industrial Cuts (BIC) from natural forests as well as plantations was introduced from the year 1976-77, after disbanding the previously existing contractor system.

At present there is a moratorium on extraction of timber from natural forests except for bamboo from overlapping bamboo forests. The major activity comprises harvesting timber and poles from matured plantations of Teak, Eucalyptus, Casuarinas etc. and long bamboos and BIC from bamboo coupes as per prescriptions of the working plan of respective divisions. The physical targets and achievements of Departmental Extraction of Forest Produce of Timber, Fuel, Poles and Bamboos

Forest Revenue:

Forest products in the state include Red sander, Timber, Bamboo, Firewood & Charcoal etc. The income accrued from Forestry sector in the State was Rs.18.92 crore in 2017- 18 (upto Nov, 2017).

Social Forestry :

The State Government has launched a massive people’s movement involving public and farmers in a big way to increase tree cover outside reserve forests to improve environment and to provide gainful EMPLOYMENT to thousands of unemployed youth. Public distribution of seedlings, raising community land plantations/ avenue/ shelterbelt plantations; and raising of institutional plantations have been done under Social Forestry programme.

Vanamahostavam-Vanam-Manam :

The Government has launched “Vanam-Manam” on 01.07.2017 witVana-mahostavam in Kondaveedu Forest Block at Obulanaidu Palem village of Guntur District. The tentative target of planting for 2017-18 under VanamManam is 25 crore by all stakeholders.
The Vanam-Manam programme has two components viz. “Vanamahotsava”, a tree plantation programme and “Prakruthi Pilusthondi”, a programme for creating awareness and ensuring participation of various stakeholders. The Vanam–Manam Campaign has started on the 1st Saturday of July, 2017 and it is continued for 127 days. Every Saturday afternoon and 4th Saturday of each month were earmarked to reinforce environmental conservation efforts and to increase awareness on forest protection. The campaign ended with “Karthika Vana Samaaradhana” on 04-11-2017 at Nagaravanam Perecherla, Guntur.

Afforestation:

The department has raised 4850 ha of block plantation and 479 km of Avenue plantation as against the target of 4,739 ha. of block plantation and 650 km of Avenue plantation respectively for the year 2017-18. 158.99 lakh saplings have been utilised for planting in the forest areas and 418.49 lakh saplings have been utilised for distribution. Presently 54.11 lakh tall seedlings and 36.37 lakh fruit bearing species like Jama, Usiri, Neredu etc., are available in the year 2017-18 (upto December, 2017).

Forest Protection Schemes Intensification of Forest Management Scheme:

The objectives of forest protection scheme include prevention and control of fi re, survey and maintenance of boundaries, preparation of working plans, development of Infrastructure-2/”>INFRASTRUCTURE and protection of forests and wildlife. Under this scheme 1.74 lakh claims with an extent of 10.26 lakh acres are received. Of which 1.63 lakh claims with an extent of 9.81 lakh acres are surveyed. Remaining are under progress.

Plantation Activities:

Eucalyptus Plantations:

The APFDC has been raising Eucalyptus Clonal plantations and with 31963 Ha. it is the single largest grower among PSUs in India. There are proposals to raise another 1000-2000 Ha. in the next 3 to 4 years. Due to improved site preparation, use of quality planting material and management practices, optimum yields are obtained from the plantations.

Bamboo Plantations:

Bamboo plantations are raised over an area of 2416 ha. The Corporation is intending to expand the Bamboo plantations over an area of 100 Ha in the next 3 to 4 years to ensure more supply of raw material per annum to the Paper Industries besides raw material to the artisans.

Coffee Plantations:

The Corporation is maintaining about 4,010 ha. of existing coffee plantations in the agency areas of Visakhapatnam and East Godavari Districts with intensive cultivation practices, by following scientifi c methods. These plantations are generating about 5.00 lakh mandays of employment to the tribals all-round the year

Pepper Cultivation:

APFDC has 1.80 lakh Pepper standards in its Coffee Estates in the agency areas of Visakhapatnam and East Godavari Districts comprising of high yielding varieties like Panniyur-I, Purnima, Sreekara, Subhakara, Panchami, Panniyur-5. It is proposed to plant another 1.15 lakh standards with pepper in the next 5 years.

Cashew Plantations: The Corporation has got cashew plantations over an area of 5795 ha. along the coastal belt in Prakasam and Nellore districts and in the inlands of West Godavari and Chittoor districts. Presently, the older plantations are being replanted with high yielding Cashew varieties using scion banks.

Climate change is one of the most pressing issues facing our planet today. The effects of climate change are already being felt around the world, in the form of more extreme weather events, rising sea levels, and changes in plant and animal life. Climate change is also having a significant impact on Horticulture And Forestry.

One of the most visible effects of climate change on horticulture is the changing growing season. In many parts of the world, the growing season is getting longer, which means that plants can be grown in areas where they could not previously be grown. However, climate change is also making the growing season more variable, with more extreme weather events such as droughts and floods. This can make it difficult for farmers and gardeners to plan their crops.

Climate change is also having a significant impact on forestry. Forests are important for a number of reasons, including providing habitat for wildlife, regulating the climate, and preventing soil erosion. However, climate change is causing forests to decline in health and productivity. Forests are also being lost to deforestation, which is the clearing of forests for other uses such as agriculture or development. Deforestation is a major contributor to climate change, as it releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

Diseases and pests are another major threat to horticulture and forestry. Diseases and pests can spread more easily in a changing climate, as they are able to survive in new areas that were previously too cold or dry. This can lead to outbreaks of diseases and pests that can devastate crops and forests.

Invasive species are another major threat to horticulture and forestry. Invasive species are plants or animals that are not native to an area and that can cause harm to the environment. Invasive species can outcompete native plants and animals, leading to their decline or extinction. They can also spread diseases and pests, and they can damage infrastructure such as roads and bridges.

Pollution is another major threat to horticulture and forestry. Pollution can come from a variety of sources, including Air Pollution, Water Pollution, and Soil Pollution. Pollution can damage plants and trees, and it can also make them more susceptible to diseases and pests.

Soil erosion is another major threat to horticulture and forestry. Soil erosion is the loss of soil from the land, and it can be caused by a variety of factors, including wind, water, and human activity. Soil erosion can lead to a loss of productivity, and it can also make it difficult for plants to grow.

Water management is another important issue in horticulture and forestry. Water is essential for plant growth, and it is also important for preventing soil erosion. Water management is the process of managing Water Resources, and it includes activities such as irrigation, drainage, and flood control.

Wildlife management is another important issue in horticulture and forestry. Wildlife can damage crops and forests, and it can also spread diseases and pests. Wildlife management is the process of managing wildlife populations, and it includes activities such as hunting, trapping, and habitat management.

These are just some of the many issues that affect horticulture and forestry. It is important to be aware of these issues so that we can take steps to protect our forests and plants.

What is horticulture?

Horticulture is the science and art of growing plants, especially fruits, vegetables, and ornamentals. It includes the cultivation of plants for food, fiber, fuel, and other products.

What is forestry?

Forestry is the science and practice of managing forests. It includes the cultivation of trees, the harvesting of timber, and the protection of forests from fire, pests, and disease.

What are the issues of horticulture and forestry?

The issues of horticulture and forestry are many and varied. Some of the most pressing issues include:

Climate change: Climate change is having a significant impact on both horticulture and forestry. Rising temperatures and changing Precipitation patterns are making it difficult to grow crops and manage forests.
Pests and diseases: Pests and diseases are a major threat to both horticulture and forestry. New and emerging pests and diseases are constantly emerging, and they can cause significant damage to crops and forests.
Invasive species: Invasive species are plants or animals that are not native to an area and that can cause harm to the environment. Invasive species can outcompete native plants and animals, and they can also spread diseases.
Deforestation: Deforestation is the clearing of forests for other uses, such as agriculture or development. Deforestation is a major threat to the environment, as it can lead to soil erosion, loss of Biodiversity-2/”>Biodiversity, and climate change.
Overpopulation: Overpopulation is a major problem in many parts of the world. Overpopulation can lead to increased demand for food and resources, which can put a strain on the environment.
POVERTY: Poverty is a major problem in many parts of the world. Poverty can lead to people clearing forests for firewood or other resources, which can contribute to deforestation.
War and conflict: War and conflict can lead to the destruction of forests. Forests can be used as a source of fuel or shelter, and they can also be destroyed in the crossfire.

What are the solutions to the issues of horticulture and forestry?

There are many solutions to the issues of horticulture and forestry. Some of the most promising solutions include:

Sustainable Agriculture: Sustainable agriculture is a type of agriculture that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Sustainable agriculture can help to reduce the impact of agriculture on the environment.
Integrated pest management: Integrated pest management (IPM) is a system of pest control that uses a combination of methods, such as biological control, cultural control, and chemical control. IPM can help to reduce the use of pesticides, which can harm the environment.
Forest management: Forest management is the practice of managing forests for sustainable use. Forest management can help to protect forests from deforestation and other threats.
Reforestation: Reforestation is the process of planting trees in an area that has been deforested. Reforestation can help to restore forests and mitigate the effects of climate change.
Education: Education is essential to solving the issues of horticulture and forestry. People need to be educated about the importance of forests and the threats they face.
Policy change: Policy change is also essential to solving the issues of horticulture and forestry. Governments need to enact policies that support sustainable agriculture, forest management, and reforestation.

What is the future of horticulture and forestry?

The future of horticulture and forestry is uncertain. The challenges facing these industries are significant, but there are also many opportunities for progress. With the right solutions and policies in place, horticulture and forestry can play a vital role in a sustainable future.

Which of the following is not a type of horticulture?
(A) Ornamental horticulture
(B) Landscape horticulture
(C) Viticulture
(D) Forestry
Which of the following is not a type of forestry?
(A) Timber production
(B) Wood processing
(C) Recreation
(D) Soil conservation
Which of the following is not a benefit of horticulture?
(A) Food production
(B) Ornamental plants
(C) Medicinal plants
(D) Timber production
Which of the following is not a benefit of forestry?
(A) Timber production
(B) Wood processing
(C) Recreation
(D) Soil conservation
Which of the following is not a threat to horticulture?
(A) Pests
(B) Diseases
(C) Climate change
(D) Soil erosion
Which of the following is not a threat to forestry?
(A) Pests
(B) Diseases
(C) Climate change
(D) Wildfires
Which of the following is not a way to improve horticulture?
(A) Use sustainable practices
(B) Use resistant varieties
(C) Use integrated pest management
(D) Use genetically modified organisms
Which of the following is not a way to improve forestry?
(A) Use sustainable practices
(B) Use resistant varieties
(C) Use integrated pest management
(D) Use selective logging
Which of the following is not a career in horticulture?
(A) Landscape architect
(B) Florist
(C) Nursery manager
(D) Forester
Which of the following is not a career in forestry?
(A) Timber harvester
(B) Wood processor
(C) Park ranger
(D) Soil conservationist