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Structure and Diversity of Homegarden Agroforestry in Thakurgaon District, Bangladesh

Sourovi Zaman*
Forest Measurement and Planning Laboratory, Forest Science Department, Agriculture Faculty, Shinshu University, 8304, Minami-minowa, Kami-ina, Nagano-399-4598, Japan

Salah Uddin Siddiquee
Insect Ecology Laboratory, Entomology Department, Agriculture Faculty, Shinshu University, 8304, Minami-minowa, Kami-ina, Nagano-399-4598, Japan

Masato Katoh
Forest Measurement and Planning Laboratory, Forest Science Department, Agriculture Faculty, Shinshu University, 8304, Minami-minowa, Kami-ina, Nagano-399-4598, Japan

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

The study focused on the composition, structure of homegarden, diversity of plant species and contribution of homegarden to household food security, conservation of plant species, socio-economic importance and the constraints of the total production system. Using a structured questionnaire, formal and informal interviews and field observations collected the information. Some information was also gathered by group discussion with the farmers and the information was analyzed by using descriptive statistics. The homegardensize in average in the study area increased with the size of total land holding. A total of 37 useful plant species were identified from the homegardens in Thakurgaon. Diversity and abundance of fruit tree species were found higher in all farm categories followed by timber and fuel wood species. Total income was found higher in large farm category than that of marginal. Mango and jackfruit were identified as an important cash-growing crop in the study area. Tree management practices and the scopes were very common. The farmer faced many problems during tree plantation and the major cause was the animal. Insect was also another common constraint. The homegardens and its management can be improved by proper management practices, more research, cooperative and extension services.

Keywords: Homegarden, Diversity, Household, Bangladesh.

Location: Thakurgaon sadar (proper), Baliadangi, Horipur, Ranishonkoil and Pirgon

Start Date: 00-05-2008

End Date: 00-07-2008

Program Area: Conservation and Biodiversity

Commodity: Agroforestry

Objectives:

The objective of the study was to find out structure and diversity of homegarden of Bangladesh with particular reference to Thakurgaon district

Methodology:

2.1. Location of the Study Area Bangladesh is located between 20°34'-26°3' N; and 88°01'-92°41' E. It is bordered by the Bay of Bengal on the South and by India on all other sides along with small part of Myanmar. The study area Thakurgaon is located in the Northern part of Bangladesh and covers a total area of 2,497.92 km². The district has 5 upazillas (administrative entities, sub districts) names- Thakurgaon sadar (proper), Baliadangi, Horipur, Ranishonkoil and Pirgonj and the total population of these 5 thanas was about 1.6 million. The study was conducted during May to July 2008 in Thakurgaon district in two upazillas namely Baliadangi and Thakurgaon sadar. 2.2. Site Selection and Sampling Procedure The total 40 households (10 households from each category) were selected from each upazilla. All households were grouped into five farm categories according to size of land holdings i.e. landless, marginal, small, medium and large according to Abedin et al. (1988). The farmers who own land up to 0.2 ha were identified and eliminated from the list. They do not practice agroforestry in their homegardens because most of their lands are occupied by their houses. A sample of 80 households was selected, 40 from 2 upazillas with equal number of household from each farm category by stratified random sampling. 2.3. Data Collection and Data Analysis Information was collected from both primary and secondary sources. These were gathered by survey as well as non survey methods. In order to obtain relevant information the survey sources include interviews through a pre-tested interview schedule by a questionnaire. It contained both open and closed form of questions. The questions were designed in Bengali language. The interview schedule was pre-tested with ten households before it was finalized. The pre-testing facilitated the researchers to examine the suitability of different questions and status of the instrument. The final version of the instrument was done on the basis of validity, suggestions, corrections and comment of the research supervisor and experts. Some data were also collected by farmers' group discussions while non-surveys include the information through field survey, direct observations and secondary sources. Data for this study were collected by the researcher with the help of Upazilla Extension Officer (UAE) and Block Supervisor (BS) of Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) and the Forest Department of Thakurgaon. To get valid and pertinent information we made all possible efforts to explain the purpose of the study to the respondents. Appointments with the respondents were made in advance by the help of the local leaders. This helped the researchers to have a friendly orientation to the group members. The interview schedule was administered by the researchers personally to the respondents. The collected data were verified through surveying and discussion with the households. The species composition of homegarden was noted with the help of the farmers and the assistants. In each garden each specimen of all perennial species with name, age and individual number was recorded by asking the owner of household and counting by authors. Income of each household was categorized into 2 groups; income from crop field and income from homegarden. At the end of the survey, the relevant information was fed into the computer for analysis. Qualitative Data Analysis was analysed by using descriptive statistics and presented as means, percentages, frequency distributions, and cross tables. Quantitative Data Analysis summarized into categories to facilitate statistical analysis. The same statistical package was used and analysed by using means, range, correlations regression. Chi-Square tests were employed to asses the homogeneity of household responses among the different farm categories. Collected data were coded for processing and analysis. Survey findings were compared on the basis of farm size categories. Relative prevalence (RP) of tree species was determined by multiplying the number of trees per farm by the percentage of farms containing that species. It was calculated by the following equation. Relative prevalence (RP) = ni/A x fi/F where, ni = Number of specimen species i on homegarden, A = Area of homegarden. fi = Number of homegardens on which species i is found., F = Total number of homegardens.

Source of Information: The Open Forest Science Journal, 2010, 3, 38-44

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Achievement/Findings:

The researchers have studied a large number of individual farms and offered farmers choices in new technologies and production methods developed through location specific research for crops, livestock, fisheries, agroforestry and the homestead. Then they followed up the farmers’ response and progress. The amount of information generated is so large and complex that researchers need more sophisticated techniques to analyze the data and utilize them meaningfully. The traditional homestead system at Thakurgaon district was found poor in terms of management level in cultural practices. Farmers depend on the naturally growing trees on the homegarden. The modern technologies and extension supports to develop the traditional production systems were almost not available. Increased tree plantation in the homesteads and their appropriate management including intercropping practices should be the strategy for enhancing tree cover of the study area in order to meet basic needs of its people and maintain environmental balance. To get fruits, fuel wood, timber and various agricultural products as well as to bring back equilibrium in the ecosystem, establishment of multi-layered cropping systems in the homesteads and/or orchard is inevitable. The developed model should be applied in the orchards of jackfruit in central region and forest plantations in forest areas of Bangladesh. In spite of the immense scope and prospects of the homegardens no systematic program has been undertaken so far to improve the productivity of the homegarden. The homegarden system can be improved by proper care management practice, more research performance, cooperative and extension services etc., and replace low economic value crops by high economic value crops. This will ensure sustainable production for the poor farmers of Bangladesh. Efforts should be made to make the rural farmers aware of the appropriate planning and management of the homesteads and to provide them with necessary training and other technical supports for these purposes. Agro-based industry should be built for more income generating activities. Jackfruit and mango being multi purpose fruit tree commonly found in all locations could provide the basis for food process industry. The efforts should be made to identify different shade tolerant vegetables and to motivate and train the farmers to increase the vegetables production of the study area and to cultivate them under the trees in the homestead. Women work efficiency should be increased by training, education and extension supports since they are mainly involved in home gardening. To improve the socio-economic conditions of the households, designing of new program to develop the homegarden agroforestry production system in accordance with the farmer's needs, resource base, goals and preferences, and bio-physical setting is an urgent issue. That program can only lead to viable production systems towards sustainable livelihood in the coming future. Increased tree plantation in non-forest area especially in the homegardens should be the strategy for enhancing the tree cover of the country in order to meet demand for food, fuel wood and timber for the households and fodder for the livestock, as well as to maintain the sustainability of production system.

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