Agricultural Research Management Information System

Home
Research Summary
Search
About Us
- ARMIS
- Brochure
Contact Us
Report
User Request
Data Input
Help
- Operation Manual
  - PDF
  - Video
- Program Area & Commodity
We have reached 37600 number of research entries at this moment.

- Logout

Research Detail

Home
Research
Detail

Species Diversity in Homestead Agroforestry System of Chittagong District: an Exploratory Study

M. Mohiuddin
Institute of Forestry and Environmental Sciences, University of Chittagong, Chittagong

R. M. Chowdhury
Bangladesh Forest Department, University of Chittagong, Chittagong

M. Mohshin
Bangladesh Forest Department, University of Chittagong, Chittagong

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Species diversity and economic returns of five different components namely timber, fruit, fuelwood, vegetables and non-timber forest products (NTFPs) in homestead agroforestry system were studied at two smallest administrative units (Union) namely Betagi and West Demsha under Chittagong district. Most of the available species under each component at both locations were common. With little exception, the frequency distribution of each component species was similar in all household categories at each study location. Tree components for timber and fruit were more in West Demsha than in Betagi, whereas components for fuel wood, vegetables and NTFPs were more in Betagi. However, the economic returns from vegetable component were more than those from any other component in both the study locations. The results indicated that homestead agroforestry systems in the study locations were traditional, and generally immediate income generating component like vegetables had been selected by the small and medium households in the establishment of such system.

Keywords: Economic returns, Homestead agroforestry, Species diversity

Location: Chittagong

Start Date: 01-01-1994

End Date: 30-04-1994

Program Area: Socio-economic and Policy

Non-commodity: Performance

Objectives:

To evaluate floristic composition of plant components and their economic role in homestead agroforestry systems of two different selected areas of Chittagong district.

Methodology:

Two smallest administrative units (Union) under two different Police Station (P.S.) of Chittagong district were selected for the study. One was Betagi (an area adjacent to the government forest and a model horticultural farm with poor economic condition) from Rangunia P.S. of Northern Chittagong, and other one was West Demsha (an area away from the government forest and model horticultural farm with better economic condition) from Satkania P.S. of Southern Chittagong. On the basis of homestead area (ha) the households of each location were categorized in to small (<0.50 ha), medium (0.50-1.00 ha) and large (>1.00 ha). Ten households of each category were selected randomly for the study in each location. The study was made during the month of January to April, 1994. The numerical value of five different plant components namely, timber, fruit and fuel wood trees including agricultural annuals (vegetables) and non-timber forest products (NTFPs) species was recorded from each household category. The economic returns from each component (price of both self consumed and marketed products) of each household were also recorded interviewing the household owners. Percentage and then the mean percentage of the total for each component were calculated from the recorded data.

Source of Information: Bangladesh Journal of Forest Science, Jan-June. 1997, Vol.26(1), pp:18-24, ISSN:1021-3279.

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

During the observation of homestead agroforestry systems in both the study locations it revealed that households always try to incorporate as many component species as possible in their homesteads to establish a sustainable productive system. Moreover, species composition of various components and their arrangement were also in a traditional manner. Thus, the maintenance of sustainable production through the utilization of environmental resources is not well organized. As a result, appropriate components yet to be established in order to attain sustainable economic and environmental benefits from homestead agroforestry systems. However, farmers used to consider household requirements and immediate income generation in selecting components for homestead agroforestry system at both the study locations.

Knowledge Management: Journal