Underutilised trees offer hope for tribal communities
Tribal farmers in India are being encouraged to plant underutilised indigenous wild trees on their land. This is in response to the fact that, in recent times, farming systems in central India have become less diversified and natural resources are becoming scarcer. Tribal communities living in remote areas are especially affected. While forest products were previously a major source of income, they are now being overexploited. Promotion of underutilised species can diversify farms, preserve forests and provide opportunities for income.