Agroforestry as An Adaptation to Climate Variability in Semi-arid Regions of Karnataka, India

B N Krishmakanth; B C Nagaraja

doi:10.56093/aaz.v59i1 & 2.103049

Authors

B N Krishmakanth Bangalore University, Jnanabharathi Campus, Bangalore 560 056, India
B C Nagaraja Bangalore University, Jnanabharathi Campus, Bangalore 560 056, India

https://doi.org/10.56093/aaz.v59i1%20&%202.103049

Abstract

The variability in climatic factors is expected to increase global temperature that could impact the growing pattern in agriculture system and increase drought scenarios. Agroforestry is an integral practice in traditional agriculture system, which has always proved to be less vulnerable to climate variability. The study was undertaken to assess the current scenario of agroforestry in semi-arid region of Karnataka wherein the relation between landholding and tree density in four districts was studied. A total of 32,683 individuals belonging to 26 tree species were recorded in 200 farmlands of which 22 were forestry tree species of 11,838 individuals with a density of 32 trees ha-1. Apart from forestry species, the farmers cultivated 14,330 arecanut, 6458 coconut, 40 banana and 17 papaya trees respectively. The density of plantation trees was 57 ha-1 and the overall density of trees was 90 ha-1. The results showed a significant correlation between tree density and landholding size indicating that number of trees in farmland increased as the land holding size increased. Such studies can help in developing recommendations in agroforestry practices in order to cope with agrarian crisis in arid and semi-arid regions. Information regarding tree species of area and their density will help to know the best preferred species by farmers and existing diversity of species based on which future agroforestry plantations can be planned. Key words: Agroforestry, agrarian crisis, adaptations, agriculture, climate variability.

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