M. Begum
Department of Agroforestry, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh -2202
M.A. Haque
Department of Agroforestry, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh -2202
M.R. Karim
Department of Finance and Banking, Dhaka University
M. Akter
Department of Agroforestry, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh -2202
M.A. Wadud
Department of Agroforestry, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh -2202
Tree diversity, Plant species, Agroforestry, Tangail district
Gopalpur Upazila of Tangail District
Conservation and Biodiversity
Location of the Study Area:The study was conducted in 9 Villages of 3 Unions of Gopalpur Upazila of Tangail district. Gopalpur is located between 24º.29°and 24º.41 north latitudes and between 89º.45° and 90º.00° east longitudes. The Gopalpur Thana, now an Upazila, was established in 1920. The Upazila consists of one municipality, 10 Union Parishads, 162 Mouzas and 146 villages. With an area of 193.37 sq km it is bounded by madhupur Upazila on the north, Ghatail and Bhuapur Upazilas on the south, Ghatail and Madhupur Upazilas on the east, sarishabari and Bhuapur Upazilas on the west. Main rivers are Jhinai, atrai and Bairan; main depressions are Helancha Beel, Barashila Beel and Gaila Beel. Physiography: According to the BRAC agro-ecological zoning the Tangail district belongs to the argo-ecological zone- 7, 8 and 9 i.e Active Brahmaputra and Jamuna Flood Plain, Young Brahmaputra and Jumuna Floodplain and old Brahmaputra Floodplain. Method of investigation: As the farmer of Bangladesh do not usually maintain records and accounts of their farm operations, the survey method was followed to achieve the objective of this study. To minimize errors, several repeated visits were made to collect data properly. The steps followed in the present study are selection of the area, specific records of the relevant factors, sampling technique, period of investigation, preparation of the interview schedule, reporting with respondents, collection of data, processing and analysis of data Preparation of survey schedule: In order to collect relevant information form the respondents a set of preliminary survey schedules was used. The survey schedule was carefully designed keeping the objective of the study in view. The schedule contained both open and closed form questions. Very easy simple, direct questions and different scales were used to obtain information. The draft schedule was pretested by interviewing some sample farmers of selected areas by the researcher herself. Thus, some part of the draft schedule were improved, rearranged and modified in the light of the actual and practical experience gained by the researcher from the pretesting. Thus, the final survey schedule was prepared on the basis of valid suggestions, logical sequences, and comment of the research supervisor and also presented in Appendix. Period of data collection: Method of data collection: Data were collected from 01 August to 31 October 2012 by using the questionnaire. Before going to make interview, each farmer was given a brief introduction about the nature and purpose of the study and the researcher assured them that, all information would be kept confidential. Variables of study and development of research instruments: Independent variables of the study area were- Age, Education, Family size, Homestead size, Farm size, Annual income, Cultivable Land Size and the Dependent variable is Tree Species Diversity. Measurement of dependent variable: Impact of homestead agroforestry as perceived was the dependent variable of the study. It consists of diversified tree species of the homestead. The changes of diversified tree species of homestead agroforestry are measured by calculating number of tree species. Number of tree species obsrved in homestead agoforestry system was the focus of the study. On the basis of this main aspect the researcher gain knowledge by visiting the study area and discussing with farmers before collection of data. Tree species are the important component of the homestead flora. Predominating plant species (fruit, timber, crops, vegetable and others) observed in the study area was calculated in homestead area and it was expressed by numbers. Data processing and analysis: After completion of field survey data form all the interview schedules were coded, complied, tabulated and analyzed in accordance with the objectives of the study. In this process, all the responses in the interview schedule were given numerical coded values. Local units were converted into standard units and qualitative data were converted into quantitative once by means of suitable scoring whenever necessary. The responses to the questions in the interview schedules were transferred to a master sheet to facilitate tabulation. For describing the different characteristics and their constraint facing, the respondents were classified into several categories. Theses categories were developed by considering the nature of distribution of data, general understanding prevailing in the social system and possible score system.
J. Agrofor. Environ. 7 (1): 135-138, 2013; ISSN 1995-6983
Journal