Farmers still rely on slow-growing species which take a long time and monitoring. We have fast-growing species like Melia dubia which can be used in numerous ways even for the pulp and paper industries along with wood industries. Agroforestry implications and Melia trials have shown higher income and productivity for the farmers that rely on these species.
Am not in India, but farmers the world over are rational and often have reasons for non-adoption; probably an inquiry would reveal these. That said, farm operators are also broadly risk-averse. Risk aversion makes them take quite a while before they can accept a new practice or technology. Cost of adoption is another potential factor or even the absence of perceived long term benefits.
Availability of market is major concern for Melia dubia in non-traditional states. No doubt that Melia has huge potential being fast growing, high productivity and matching farmers need but as like Tamil Nadu, AP, KN, Gujarat and some extend in Haryana, we do not have market in other states. In case of Tectona grandis, the zeal of planting is more as it take more than 20 years for rotation. Because, small scale industry is present even at village level to big cities for furniture of teak. The using teak furniture in house is considered as status symbol even among poor people too.
One of the possible reason for not growing Melia dubia by farmers may be the unawareness. Farmers need to be demonstrated and convinced about its fast growth, utility and market. Teak is still the ruling tree as far as furniture value is concerned.
Melia dubia is a money spinning tree in short span. However, Farmers are not aware about its versatile utility because very few research has been conducted on melia so far. Its cultivation is confined to kerala, tamilnadu, karnataka, gujarat and some extend to Uttarakhand, Haryana and Rajasthan . Marketing is the biggest issue for north indian states. but gradually it is going to replace eucalyptus and would fetch the market of plywood industry. I have been working on melia in mahi ravines since 2019 and excellent results have come so far.
Getting clear bole for plywood is an issue of concern in melia. The high temperature of more than 40 degrees for a longer time impacts the central leader and getting forked, which able to give hardly one or two logs of 3 m in size for plywood. Again getting knot-free timber also a major concern. Melia grows very fast and straight with clear bole in optimum temperature (25 to 35 degrees and moisture (rainfall more than 1000 mm or requires drip irrigation). I think replacing eucalyptus is very difficult. When poplar was introduced in IGP for commercial purposes, most of them thought it will replace eucalyptus. But the versatility and ability to withstand difficult conditions are crucial for widespread success, even after so many controversies.
The first and foremost reason is awareness about Melia dubia based Agroforestry system among the farmers. Farmer's need to be detailed about Melia based plantations promoted by respective State Agroforestry Missions particularly in southern n central States. Another issue is of linking farmers with industry n availability of plywood industries near the Plantations. Teak even with longer rotation has local market with premium price.
Farmers are also have false impression for the tissue culture plants that Teak can be harvested in 7 years and that too surprisingly endorsed by many very senior agricultural scientists in India. We all know it can to be done even in precision silvicultural techniques even in 20 years for timber? So if that the situation the leaders not wish to listen the subject experts and rely on advertisements than difficult to convince the farmers. We need to show them Melia dubia plantations and economics in comparison to Teak and Mahogany both in terms of rotation and economics.
Make Reference to the theory of Perceived attributes (Rogers, 2003). It suggests a number of potential reasons for non-adoption, even of the most economically beneficial practises.
Answer is found in the timber quality and furniture value of mentioned species.
A.K. Handa Sir, you are absolutely right. Here in Gujarat plywood industry has started buying Melia dubia and new units will come up in future who would be using this species. Already farmers have planted on large scale. Plantations done have excellent clear bole. We are making every efforts to link the farmers with industry.
I am also working on growth performance of improved genotypes of Melia dubia in low hills of Himachal Pradesh. The results of first four years growth are excellent.
Teak has high demand & market price for timber, Melia dubia lack it, so not preferred. Iits wood can be used for plywood etc. but price is less than. zed mahogany is also prized timber globally. Sisoo (Sisam) can compete it likely. Its much grown roadside & other social forestry programs so farmers do not grow it may be as its seen amply while travelling any city etc.
https://ediss.uni-goettingen.de/bitstream/handle/11858/14340/Ramesha-PhD-Thesis_2022_eDiss_14-11-2022.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y
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