Multistoried woodlot based agroforestry system for improved resource utilization and incomes for farmer

Area of Science:

• Agroforestry
• Agronomy
• Sustainable Agriculture

Background:

• Diversified cropping patterns and technology are vital for meeting food demands and ensuring farmer income.
• Woodlot-based multistoried agroforestry systems offer multifaceted benefits, crucial for climate change mitigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the yield and economic viability of woodlot-based multistoried agroforestry systems.
• To evaluate the performance of potato and brinjal cultivation within these systems.

Main Methods:

• The study employed a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications.
• Light availability (Photosynthetically Active Radiation - PAR) was measured under different tree-crop combinations.
• Economic analysis using Benefit-Cost Ratio (BCR) was conducted.

Main Results:

• Light penetration decreased for understory vegetables (potato and brinjal) due to tree canopies.
• The ghoraneem + pineapple agroforestry system provided 55.85% to 66.38% PAR for vegetables.
• This system achieved the highest BCR of 3.75 for potato and 3.09 for brinjal.

Conclusions:

• The ghoraneem + pineapple multistoried agroforestry system is highly effective for crop diversification and maximizing land use efficiency.
• This system demonstrates significant potential for increasing agricultural production and farmer profitability.
• Agroforestry practices are a viable strategy for sustainable agriculture in the face of climate change.