Palampur agri varsity wins prestigious agroforestry award

The Department of Horticulture & Agroforestry at Himachal Pradesh Agriculture University, Palampur, has been honoured with the “Dr S Chinnamani Award for Excellence in Agroforestry Extension” for the year 2024. The award, instituted by the Indian Society of Agroforestry, was presented on National Agroforestry Day in Jhansi, recognising the Centre’s outstanding work in agroforestry extension under the ICAR-All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on Agroforestry.

The award was conferred on a team comprising Dr Rameshwar Kumar, Dr Punam and Dr ND Negi for their exemplary efforts in transferring agroforestry technologies to farmers’ fields. Dr Rameshwar Kumar, Principal Scientist and Officer-in-Charge of AICRP on Agroforestry at Palampur, received the award on behalf of the team.

As one of 32 centres operating nationwide under the Central Agroforestry Research Institute (CAFRI), Jhansi, the Palampur Centre has played a vital role in promoting ecological and economic development. It has notably developed Morus-based silvi-pastoral systems for rehabilitating degraded lands and introduced location-specific, need-based agroforestry models through participatory approaches, particularly in the tribal district of Lahaul & Spiti.

The Centre’s innovative outreach and technology dissemination strategies have earned it repeated national recognition, including awards in competitions and the publication of documented success stories. Its work continues to serve as a benchmark for promoting agroforestry across diverse agro-climatic zones.

This national accolade affirms the university’s commitment to research excellence and its pivotal role in advancing sustainable agricultural practices in Himachal Pradesh and beyond.