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Agroforestry as it Pertains to Vegetable Production in Bangladesh |
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Mir Farid Uddin Ahmed,
S.M. Lutfor Rahman ,
A.S.M. Mesbahuddin Ahmed and Bruno Quebedeaux |
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 heterophyllus,
26.3%) and mango (Mangifera indica, 22.5%) followed by mahogany (Swietenia
mahagoni, 10.3%), coconut (Cocos 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 farm 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.
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How to cite this article:
Mir Farid Uddin Ahmed, S.M. Lutfor Rahman , A.S.M. Mesbahuddin Ahmed and Bruno Quebedeaux , 2004. Agroforestry as it Pertains to Vegetable Production in Bangladesh. Journal of Agronomy, 3: 282-290.
DOI: 10.3923/ja.2004.282.290
URL: https://scialert.net/abstract/?doi=ja.2004.282.290
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