Private forest refers to trees on private agricultural or forest land used to supplement animal fodder, fuel wood and other basic resources or simply to provide saleable produce. It may be trees in small woodlots or trees integrated with agricultural crops as agro-forestry. Growing more trees on farmland has a high national priority. The government supports development in private forestry for four reasons:

1. It can significantly add to fodder and fuel wood resources reducing the pressure on national forests
2. It is vital to land stability and sound watershed management
3. Planting on private land has demonstrated social benefits, greater self sufficiency and improved income generation through entrepreneurial activity.
4. It help enrich the fertility status of nearby agriculture lands

The programme under the department has comprised only free distribution of seedlings, provision of technical support for their management.