How Agro-Forestry Is Better Than Conventional Agriculture Systems?
- Control soil-erosion and runoff
- Maintain organic matter of soil
- Enhanced nutrient cycling and hence effective use of nutrients.
- Reduce toxicity of soil
- Reduce infections and disease through pests
- Increase availability of soil water to land use systems
- Increase nitrogen fixation
- Provide more diverse farm economy.
What is Traditional Agroforestry?
Traditionally Agroforestry is a system to manage natural resources through integration of trees on farms. The Alnus nepalensis and Amomum subulatum combination in the humid sub-temperate regions of Nepal and Bhutan and Sikkim State of India is an excellent example of a commercial but traditional agroforestry system.
Agroforestry systems bring changes in
- Edaphic
- Microclimatic
- Flora & fauna
Components of the ecosystem According to Schroth et al. agroforestry also contributes to biodiversity conservation on a landscape scale.
Types of Traditional Agroforestry
There are several types of traditional agroforestry practices. Some of the practices are
1. Shifting Cultivation (Jhum) - This agroforestry system has originated in the Neolithic period in the years between 13000 to 3000BC and is still practiced in the Northern Eastern Hill region and some other hilly regions and humid parts of Indian subcontinent. Shifting cultivation refers to the rampant encroachment of farms to forested areas by cutting down trees and shrubs and burning them. This system is also known as “jhumming”.
Advantage
The advantage of the shifting cultivation is that it provides very easy and fast method of preparation of the land for agriculture.
Disadvantage
Many trees are cut and forests are cleared which may lead to heavy soil erosion
2. The Taungya System – The taungya (taung = hill, ya = cultivation) is a Burmese word coined in Burma in 1850. This system was introduced to India by Brandis in 1890 and the first taungya plantations were raised in 1896 in North Bengal. In 1890, it was introduced to Coorg in Karnataka.
This is a modified form of shifting cultivation in which the labor is permitted to raise agri-crops in an area but only side by side with the forest species planted by it. The practice consists of land preparation, tree planting, growing agricultural crops for 1-3 years, until shade becomes too dense, and then moving on to repeat the cycle in a different area.
A large variety of crops and trees, depending on the soil and climatic conditions, are grown in India. In fact this system was introduced to raise forest plantations, but finally became recognized agroforestry system.
Advantages of Taungya:
- Unemployment problems solved
- Artificial regeneration of forests is obtained
- Establishment of low cost method of forests plantation
- Disadvantage of the Taungya:
- Loss of soil fertility
- Danger of epidemics
- Exploitation of human labor
3. Prosopis Cineraria (Khejri) Based System – Prosopis cineraria, has played a significant role in the rural economy of the arid north-west region of the Indian subcontinent. This tree is an important constituent of the vegetation system and is a source of animal feed, fuel and timber. Its pods are used as a vegetable.
It improves the fertility of the soil beneath it, is well adapted to arid conditions and stands up well to the vagaries of climate and browsing by animals. The rural communities encourage the growth of khejri in their agricultural fields, pastures and village community lands, as.
It improves grain yield and forage biomass production. The limitations of khejri are its slow growth.
4. Homestead Agroforestry System – Homestead also known as home gardens have originated in prehistoric times. It is a system that provides multiple products to the household and meeting their requirements through a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, spices and different tree products.This system is traditional to Eastern and southern part of Indian subcontinent.
The Homestead agroforestry system is very important in the economy of Bangladesh. The many woody species grown in the homesteads are a significant source of fuelwood; they also provide fodder, building materials and other forms of wood. In the context of the prevailing shortage of fuelwood and excessive deforestation in Bangladesh, this homestead agroforestry system needs to be strengthened.
Written By - Nidhi Verma
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