IGDC CREFLAT project successfully completes capacity building programme on agroforestry

IGDC CREFLAT project supported by KfW bank, Germany is being implemented in the eleven developmental blocks under Dhalai and North Tripura in 129 villages. To create climate resilient landscapes and mitigate the adverse climate impacts on biodiversity, the project has a total target of implementing 11 different models of plantations over an area of 11,000 hectare.

Agro-forestry is a model of sustainable land use where communities are empowered to generate income from crops while keeping forests healthy and sound. CREFLAT Project has a total target of 2500 ha for four tier agro-forestry. With an initiative to take up the target, 91.5 ha agro-forestry plantation had been successfully taken up under CREFLAT Project during 2024-25. Under the guidance of state Project Management Agency of CREFLAT Project funded by the KfW,Germany and technical advice of the project management consultants from M/S GOPA, Germany, the project is going to implement 966 ha of Agro-forestry for 1713 numbers of patta land holders during the current planting season in Dhalai and North district in 126 villages.

Agro-forestry models have been created within the Tripura IGDC Project, featuring different combinations of forestry, horticulture, and agricultural species. Nevertheless, RoFR patta holders require increased flexibility in choosing species like Arecanut, Agar, Yongchak, Jackfruit, Lemon, Mango, Amla, Banana, Pineapple Gandhaki, Ginger and Turmeric for upcoming Agro-forestry plantations, influenced by their traditional knowledge and present market needs. Permitting flexibility in species choice would permit local communities to select species that yield faster returns or better complement their current agricultural systems.

For implementing the agro-forestry plantation, a block level capacity building programme has been organized by the CREFLAT IGDC with the technical support from the Directorate of Horticulture, Tripura for the RoFR Agro-forestry Beneficiaries from 04.08.25 to 07.08.25 in all the eleven project blocks of Dhalai and North District. On 04.08.25 the Capacity Building programme was organized in Damcherra, Vangmunn and Salema block; on 05.08.25 the Capacity Building programme was organized under Ambassa, Manu and Ganda Twissa block; on 06.08.25 the same was organized in Durga Chowmuni and it was organized in Chailegta, Ganganagar and Laxmipur block on 07.08.25. The Sub Divisional Forest Officers concerned Range officers, officers of Horticulture Department of Tripura, Project staff of CREFLAT Project and representatives of PMC attended the programme and gave technical inputs for successful implementation of Agroforestry model. This capacity building will provide hands-on knowledge on establishment, maintenance and management for a successful agro-forestry model. With this initiative Tripura will have reduced soil erosion and better compaction, improved soil biodiversity and fertility, enhanced carbon sequestration and overall contribution to the sustainable livelihood opportunities for the RoFR Agro-forestry beneficiaries in Dhalai and North District.