Forest farming is a method that involves the cultivation of crop beneath the forest canopy. It provides a proper environment and necessary nutrients for a specific class of crops and they grow efficiently in the forest only. There is a wide range of non-timber products that can be cultivated through forest farming.

 

Variety of crops that can be grown under forest farming

 

Medicinal herbs

They are very important in our life and forest is the major source of medical herbs. It includes Black Cohosh, Goldenseal, Bloodroot

Pacific yew, Mayapple, etc.

 

Fruits

Pawpaw, Currants, Elderberry, Serviceberry, Blackberry, Huckleberry are best grown in the forest. As the soil type and forest canopy provide a favourable atmosphere for these fruits to grow.

 

Nuts

Agroforestry also avails us to produce several nuts like Black walnut, Hazelnut, Shagbark hickory, and Beechnut.

 

Other Products

Apart from the above-mentioned variety, there are several other crops that we can grow in forest soil. This list includes Ramps, Syrups, Honey, Mushrooms, Pine straw, Willow twigs, Vines etc. that means we get a large list of edible products also from forest farming. Besides this, ornamentals like Rhododendron, Highbush cranberry, and Flowering dogwood can also be cultivated in the forest.

 

Advantages of Forest Farming

Ecological Balance

With the proper adoption of methods in the forest, farming will create an ecological balance which is very important to sustain life on this mother earth.

 

High-Value Products

A large variety of edible, medicinal herbs and craft products can be obtained from forest which downturn the pressure on conventional farmlands at the same time preserve the forest.

 

Economical benefits

Forest farming contains very valuable crops and hence can give huge profit to you. Also, the crops cover a large portion of export quantities and therefore, affect our foreign exchange also.

So, Forest farming has a lot to offer you. You just need to follow some sustainable methods to procure your target. One should consult someone who has already tried his hands in this farming to get clearer insights of the same. Also, from the above described forest crops, you can select the one that is best suited for you.

Everything demands patience and the same is required by forest farming too. But your patience will definitely result in big bang cultivation and that is what you actually desire.