Plant biodiversity is a resource for new food crops and medicinal products. The flora balances the ecosystems, protects the watersheds and alleviates erosion. IMAP successfully cultivated several novel plant species in Paschim Medinipur and Jhargram to support plant biodiversity. Plant biodiversity directly affects sustainable agriculture. Planting Semialata Flemingia quickly increased the soil's capacity to fix nitrogen, increasing its fertility, in the fallow fields of Garhbeta and Jhargram.
These plants were never grown in these areas before. After the introduction of this plant on fallow fields, the soil character started changing. The results of this change were visible In the fallow fields of Jhargram. IMAP was able to cultivate bananas, papaya and other fruit plants which were never grown before. We developed several orchards and different kinds of vegetables. These vacant fields could accommodate regular agrarian activities. The agricultural ecosystem in the area was improved. The results of these improvements were visible when these fallow lands started joining in the regular flow of agricultural practices.
Similar to these endeavours, the soil character started changing
when we began introducing medicinal plants in Paschim Medinipur District's
Garhbeta III Block. Never before had these plants been grown in the region.
As one of the components of plant biodiversity is medicine, this project has
been meeting the desired target. Thirty species of Medicinal plants were introduced
in this Project. To establish these plants on the field, the required human
resource was trained and the lands were prepared. The fallow land which was
laid bare for a long time has now been experiencing thorough agricultural
practices hosting an array of altogether new plant species.
It is a distinctive addition to the local agricultural ecosystem, demonstrating
the significance of relationships between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning
for agricultural practices. This model demonstrates not only plant biodiversity,
but a new way to earn a livelihood from fallow lands. Once the model is established,
it can be replicated to make arable other fallow lands with a promise to pave another
way to sustainable livelihood.
Similar to these endeavours, the soil character started changing
when we began introducing medicinal plants in Paschim Medinipur District's
Garhbeta III Block. Never before had these plants been grown in the region.
As one of the components of plant biodiversity is medicine, this project has
been meeting the desired target. Thirty species of Medicinal plants were introduced
in this Project. To establish these plants on the field, the required human
resource was trained and the lands were prepared. The fallow land which was
laid bare for a long time has now been experiencing thorough agricultural
practices hosting an array of altogether new plant species.
It is a distinctive addition to the local agricultural ecosystem, demonstrating
the significance of relationships between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning
for agricultural practices. This model demonstrates not only plant biodiversity,
but a new way to earn a livelihood from fallow lands. Once the model is established,
it can be replicated to make arable other fallow lands with a promise to pave another
way to sustainable livelihood.
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