Agroforestry practices in Aligarh district of Uttar Pradesh: A socio-economic analysis

Abstract

Agroforestry can play a vital role in conserving our natural resources, thus it is a step towards sustainable productivity. The present study is the outcome of socio-economic diagnosis of traditional agroforestry practices followed by farmers in Aligarh district of Uttar Pradesh. The field/ farm boundary system of agroforestry has been widely practiced in traditional agroforestry regions. Tree species like Azadirachta indica, Acacia nilotica, Dalbergia sissoo and Eucalyptus spp. were dominant in traditional agroforestry. Fuel wood (50.6%) was major driving force for agroforestry adoption followed by additional income (24.4 %) and shade (17.5 %) in traditional agroforestry region. The net return from tree produce ha^-1 per annum in traditional system was Rs. 989, 541 and 440 for marginal, small and medium farmers, respectively. Although traditional agroforestry seems less promising as compared to commercial agroforestry, it is much relevant to the farmers’ livelihood.