Research and development have played an important role in enhancing the knowledge base of the IFFDC staff as well as of the PFFCS & PLDCS members. In collaboration with the Research Institutes all over the country the R&D efforts have improved the quality of the work done in the field of farm forestry and have given tested technologies for further application.

POPLAR CLONING

The cultivation of Poplar in Eastern Uttar Pradesh has been a real success story. The programme has proved a tremendous success and is yielding excellent returns to the societies.

As a result of the astounding success in U.P. the poplar programme has also been replicated in Madhya Pradesh. The initial activities have yielded good results and has had a good impact on other farmers as many more nurseries are being set up which would result in manifold increase in the poplar cultivation in the area.

MEDICINAL PLANTS

In Rajasthan cultivation of medicinal plants and the development of medicinal plants arboretum has been taken up in a few PFFCS for the extension of the cultivation know how among the farmers. The medicinal plants selected are Akarkara, Chitrak (Melochia corchorifolia), Sanai, Aswagandha, Kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata), Malkagani (Celastrus paniculata), Kala Dhatura (Datura metel), Shyam Tulsi (Ocimum americanum) & Shikakai (Acacia rugata). 
In Madhya Pradesh the cultivation of medicinal plants such as Safed musli (Chlorophytum tuberosum), Butch (Acarus calamus), Sanai (Cassia angustifolia) & Isabgol (Plantago ovata) has been taken up on a large scale.

INTRODUCTION OF HIGH YIELDING FODDER GRASSES

Keeping in mind the acute shortage of fodder in Rajasthan, high yielding grasses (Cenchrus ciliaris, Stylosanthus hamata) were introduced. In M.P. Stylosanthus hamata and Panisetum pedicellatum were tried and they have shown very encouraging results. Now in most of the PFFCS, natural regeneration of Stylosanthus hamata has started. Other high yield variety crops are also introduced in farmers field of Madya Pradesh and Rajasthan project areas.

Grass RD	Jeera
Maize	Papaya

WATER RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT 

In the project area in Ratlam (MP) and Pratapgarh (Rajasthan) different Watershed structures are constructed so that in these hilly regions, the rain water can be stored and can be used by the farmers for the cultivation of crop at the time when there is no rain.

Watershed	Anicut
Well
	Well Construction
WRD IMPACT

MICRO ENTERPRISES DEVELOPMENT AND REVOLVING FUND

The revolving fund continues to help the members and provide them with loans to take up income generation activities. The optimum utilisation of the revolving fund is the major focus area. Many members as well as the society level Micro Enterprises have been started with the help of revolving fund. Many enterprises started at the society level are goat rearing, piggery cattle feed, fertiliser, grass, tealeaves, grain bank and fodder depot. There are so many micro enterprises, started by the individual members like grocery, tea stall, goetary, pig rearing, cycles store, repairing purposes, chaff cutter, journal store and dairy are the very few examples.

ENERGY CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES

The non-conventional energy sources have been promoted in the project area since beginning. Solar water lifting pump sets have been installed in UP Project site and they are serving the purpose well. Improved chulhas have been promoted in the societies of M.P as well as Rajasthan. 

The Ministry of Non Conventional Energy Sources awarded small grants under the WRED (Women & Renewable Energy Development) and REED (Renewable Energy & Entrepreneurship Development) schemes to develop entrepreneur at the local level.

Solar Panel