Before discussing traditional Agroforestry, let’s first talk about Agroforestry.
What is Agroforestry?
Agroforestry refers to a land management system that also
includes the growing of trees and shrubs around. As the name suggests both
agriculture and forestry technologies are combined to diversify and sustain
land-use systems.
How Agroforestry is better than than traditional Forestry Systems:
1. Control soil erosion and runoff
2. Maintain organic matter of soil
3. Enhanced nutrient cycling and hence effective use of
nutrients
4. Reduce toxicity of soil
5. Reduce infections and disease through pests
6. Increase availability of soil water to land-use systems
7. Increase nitrogen fixation
8. Provide a more diverse farm economy.
What is Traditional Agroforestry?
Traditionally Agroforestry is a system to manage natural
resources through the integration of trees on farms. The Alnus nepalensis and
Amomum subulatum combination in the humid sub-temperate regions of Nepal and
Bhutan and the Sikkim State of India is an excellent example of a commercial
but traditional agroforestry system.
Agroforestry systems bring changes:
1. Edaphic
2. Microclimatic
3. 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. Jhum Cultivation
This agroforestry system has originated in the Neolithic
period in the years between 13000 to 3000BC and is still practised in the
Northern Eastern Hill region and some other hilly regions and humid parts of the
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 shifting cultivation is that it provides a 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 Taung ya (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 labour is permitted to raise
agri-crops in an area but the only side by side with the forest species planted
by it.
The practice consists of land preparation, tree planting,
growing 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.
This system was
introduced to raise forest plantations but finally became a recognized
agroforestry system.
Advantages of Taungya:
1. Unemployment problems solved
2. Artificial regeneration of forests is obtained
3. Establishment of a low-cost method of forests plantation
4. Danger of epidemics
5. Exploitation of human labour
Disadvantage of the Taungya: · Loss of soil fertility
3.
Prosopis cineraria have 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.
It improves grain yield and forages biomass production. The
limitations of khejri are its slow growth.
4. Homestead Agroforestry System:
Homesteads 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 the 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 - Chavi Goel
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