Introduction :  

Extension is an important post-research activity. Research without extension to the end –users is meaningless and not justified. The Extension Division of the Forest Research Institute (FRI) serves as and interfaces between the institute and the stakeholders and end –users to strengthen the outcome of research carried out by the researchers on the different aspects of forestry in collaboration with other Divisions. As an extension effort, the Tropical pine research Centre was established with headquarters at FRI, Dehradun in 1976 followed by four regional centers in Tamilnadu, Orissa, Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal. The Centre was closed on October 31, 1988 and Social forestry Division was established on November 1, 1988, the division has screened promising clones of poplar. The Division has also evaluated Paulotwina as an agro forestry species.

The Division has also implemented the UNDP project from 1993-2000. Under this project five villages each in U.P and Haryana were selected for socio-economic upliftment and poverty alleviation through training. Quality seeds were wupplied and expected returns it the farmers were analyzed. A project on productivity enhancement: management for people’s participation was implemented from 1994-1999. Under this project, socio –economic surveys were conducted and site-specific agro forestry models were developed for bamboo and bhSabar. During 1996-2002, the effect of leaf litter of poplars and eucalyptus on agriculture crops was studied.In 1997, the Social Forestry Division was transformed into the Extension Division in view of the necessity to transfer technologies developed bu FRI as well as researches in agroforestry and participatory forest management. The objectives of the division:

The Social Forestry Division was re-organised during the year 1997 and renamed as Extension Division to disseminate the research results to different stake holders viz. Forest Departments, farmers, industrialists, carpenters, NGOS etc. Apart from carrying out Agroforestry research, the dissemination of different research results has been carried out through brochures, folders and Newsletters. Division also acts as coordinating division by offering Short Term Training (STTC), Customised and refresher courses on different aspects related to forestry sector to its stakeholders. This way the division passes the recent research results to field.