Abstract:
This study identified the diversity and distribution of tree species and which vegetable crops are grown beneath them, uses of different plants, to identify the problem faced by the farmer and to recommend a suitable small scale mixed production system. The study was conducted in three sub districts of the Gazipur district in Bangladesh. Questionnaires were used for the survey in which a total of 90 households were interviewed. Respondents for the survey were selected based on five different farm categories, i.e. tenant, marginal, small, medium and large farm. Among the different aspects, 80% of the respondents would like to have training on the proper management practices of trees followed by species selection (43%). A total of 43% useful tree plant species (fruit and timber) were identified from the home gardens of the study area. The most common species in the study area was jackfruit (Artocarpus helerophyllus, 26.3%) and mango (Mangifera indica, 22.5%) followed by mahogany (Swietenia mahagoni, 10.3%), coconut (Cocas nucifera, 10.0%), teak (Tectona grandis, 9.7%), while low prevalence species was minjiri (Cassia siamea, 0.03%), gora neem (Melia azadirch, 0.18%) and tamarind (Tamarindus indica, 0.19%). Based on diversified uses/services, the major fruit species were jackfruit, mango and coconut. The major timber species were koroi (Albizia procera), raintree (Samanea saman), neem (Azadirachta indica), teak (Tectona grandis) and eucalyptus (Eucalyptus spp.). Diversity and abundance of fruit species was found higher (Shannon`s diversity index, H=7.25) in all faun categories followed by timber species (H=4.83). A total number of 43 plant species were identified in the homestead of the study area of which 28 were horticultural and 15 were timber and fuelwood producing species. Total income was found to increase with increase of farm size. A large number of vegetables (32 species) are cultivated in the study area, largely for local consumption. The study showed that stem amaranthus, indian spinach, aroids, sweet gourd, chili, turmeric, eggplant and radish were grown under shade of jackfruit, mango, date palm, litchi, mahogany and drumstick trees. Country bean, bitter gourd, sponge gourd and cowpea were found to grow as creeper on jackfruit, mango, litchi, mahogany and drumstick trees. Farmers earned cash income by selling trees and vegetables produced in the homestead. The total income from trees in the last five years was higher in the large farm category (BDT 22458) than that in the tenant category (BDT 6150). The total income was found to increase with increase of farm size. Among different tree species, jackfruit was identified as an important cash generating crop in the study area. Scopes for improvement of tree management practices were prevalent in the study area. Most of the farmers prefer fruit trees over fuel/timber species. The major problems faced by the farmers in tree establishment were damage caused by animals which was reported by 68% of the respondents. Insect pest was also another common constraint (27% respondents), they added.
Page(s):
282-290
DOI:
DOI not available
Published:
Journal: Journal of Agronomy, Volume: 3, Issue: 4, Year: 2004