Evaluation of existing agroforestry systems in plain region of Uttarakhand, India

Abstract

Agroforestry systems are known for their immense potential in economic development and food security. Present study was an attempt to explore the status of existing agroforestry systems on farmland in plain regions of Uttarakhand, North India. Random sampling was done to select sample respondents. Season-wise questionnaire based surveys, interviews and discussions were carried out to collect the farm data from 426 farmers. Results had shown a wide adoptability (85.68%) of different agroforestry systems in the region. Total eight types of agroforestry systems were adopted by farmers among which agri-silviculture was highly practiced (59.07%), followed by silvopastoral system (24.51%). Short rotation fast growing tree species i.e. poplar and Eucalyptus along with other horticulture tree species were dominant species in identified agroforestry systems. In accordance with adopted tree species, five different types of plantation patterns were recorded, among which boundary plantation pattern was mostly preferred (84.34%), followed by block plantation (12.12%). In these patterns, maximum number of agriculture, fodder and vegetable crop combinations were found associated with poplar trees. The findings confirmed immense scope of agroforestry development in the plain region of Uttarakhand.