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Productivity and Profitability Assessment of Lemon Based Agroforestry Systems in Bangladesh

Zannatul Ferdaous Bony
Department of Agroforestry and Environment, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Bangladesh.

Md. Abiar Rahman
Department of Agroforestry and Environment, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Bangladesh.

Zabid Al Riyadh
Department of Agroforestry and Environment, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Bangladesh.

Satya Ranjan Saha
Department of Agroforestry and Environment, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Bangladesh.

Mohammad Zakaria
Department of Horticulture, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Gazipur, Bangladesh.

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

A field experiment was conducted from May 2017 to February 2018 at the research farm of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University to evaluate the performance and profitability of three seasonal (Broccoli, Cabbage, and Okra) and two annual crops (ginger and turmeric) in lemon-based agroforestry systems. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) and replicated thrice. For seasonal crops the treatments were sole field (T₀), 50 cm distance from tree base (DTB) with ginger (T₁), 50 cm DTB with turmeric (T₂), 100 cm DTB with ginger (T₃), and 100 cm DTB with turmeric (T₄). For annual crops (ginger and turmeric) the treatments were sole field (T₀) and four distance regimes (50, 100, 150, and 200 cm) from the lemon tree base in agroforestry systems. The results of the study revealed that the yield of seasonal crops decreased and the yield of annual crops and perennial trees increased in agroforestry than respective sole cropping systems. The yield performance of crops component was significantly decreased with the decreasing distance towards tree bases in agroforestry systems. The economic analysis showed that the net return, benefit-cost ratio (BCR), and land equivalent ratio (LER) was higher in the lemon-based agroforestry system than sole cropping. Therefore, the cultivation of cabbage, broccoli, okra, ginger, and turmeric under lemon-based agroforestry systems is economically profitable.

Keywords: Agroforestry; Sole cropping system; Lemon; Benefit-cost ratio; Land equivalent ratio.

Location: Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University (BSMRAU)

Start Date: 00-05-2017

End Date: 00-02-2018

Program Area: Farming System

Commodity: Lemon

Objectives:

To evaluate the performance and economic return of different crops in lemon tree-based agroforestry systems.

Methodology:

A field study was conducted at the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University (BSMRAU) farm located at 24°09' N latitude and 90°20' E longitude in the upland of terrace topography during the period from May 2017 to February 2018. The soil is silty-clay loam in texture which belongs to Salna series of Shallow Red-Brown Terrace soil. The study area has a subtropical climate characterized by three distinct seasons; the monsoon (May to October), the dry season (November to February), and the pre-monsoon (March to April). Well established 3 years old Lemon orchard was selected to develop an agroforestry system in order to assess the productivity and profitability of the systems. The lemon variety “Colombo” was transplanted on 9 February 2014 at a spacing of 4.0 m × 4.0 m. The land was prepared thoroughly by disking followed by harrowing and laddering until a good tilth was obtained. During Kharif season, ginger (var. BARI Ada1) and turmeric (var. BARI Hulud1) were planted at a spacing of 25cm×20cm, on 23 May 2017; Okra seeds (hybrid var. Nayeem) were sown at a spacing of 50cm×45cm, on 29 June 2017. In winter, healthy 35 day’s old seedlings of cabbage (var. ATLAS 70) and broccoli (var. Broccoli Green) were transplanted on 20 November 2017 at a spacing of 60cm×50cm. All seasonal and annual crops were fertilized according to the doses and methods of fertilizer recommendation guide, 2012 [8]. Plant protections along with all agronomic management practices were done regularly. The experiment was conducted in a Randomized Complete Block design (RCBD) with three replications. This experiment comprised of five treatments for seasonal crops (Okra, Cabbage, and Broccoli) viz. sole field (T₀), 50 cm distance from tree base with ginger (T₁), 50 cm distance from tree base with turmeric (T₂), 100 cm distance from tree base with ginger (T₃) and 100 cm distance from tree base with turmeric (T₄). There were also five treatments for annual crops (ginger and turmeric) viz. sole field (T₀) and four distance regimes like 50 (T₁), 100 (T₂), 150 (T₃), and 200 (T₄) cm from the base of the lemon tree in agroforestry systems. The performance of the lemon tree was evaluated under three treatments e.g., sole plot, lemon with ginger, and turmeric. Growth, yield, and yield contributing characters were collected periodically from the experimental plots. All recorded data were processed, calculated, and analyzed by using computer software such as MS-Excel and Statistx10. Necessary tests were done to compare the treatment means. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was done and the mean differences were adjusted by Least Significant Difference (LSD) at a 5% level of significance. Benefit-Cost Analysis of crop production was done by calculating on-site and off-site costs and benefits of crops and fruit trees. The Benefit-Cost Ratio (BCR) was calculated by the following formula: BCR = Gross return (BDT ha^-1 year^-1) / Total cost of Production (BDT ha^-1 year^-1). The comparative advantage of land use through agroforestry and traditional farming was calculated in the term Land Equivalent Ratio (LER) by the following formula: LER = Xi/Xs + Yi/Ys; Where, X and Y are the yields of crop components in agroforestry (i) and sole cropping system’s (s).

Source of Information: Asian Research Journal of Agriculture- 14(2): 42-49, 2021

Article Link (Online Journal): '

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

In a resource-limited country like Bangladesh, lemon-based agroforestry systems can play a vital role in the production of multiple yield components throughout the year. Despite the sole cropping systems of seasonal crops provided higher yield than their respective agroforestry, but the total system’s production was higher in lemon-based agroforestry systems. The net return, benefit-cost, and land equivalent ratio were superior in agroforestry systems compared to sole cropping systems. So seasonal and annual crops could be successfully grown in lemon-based agroforestry and farmers might be encouraged to practices these systems for higher production, income generation, and land use maximization.

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