Agroforestry as It Pertains to Vegetable Production in Bangladesh

Abstract

This study identified the diversity and distribution of tree species and which vegetable crops are grown beneath them, uses of different plants, to identify the problem faced by the farmer, and to recommend a suitable small scale mixed production system. The study was conducted in three sub districts of the Gazipur district in Bangladesh. Respondents for the survey were selected based on five different farm categories, i.e., tenant, marginal, small, medium, and large farm. The most common species in the study area was jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus, 26.3) and mango (Mangifera indica, 22.5) followed by mahogany (Swietenia mahagoni, 10.3), coconut (Cocos nucifera, 10.0), while low prevalence species was gora neem (Melia azadirch, 0.18) and tamarind (Tamarindus indica, 0.19). A total number of 43 plant species were identified in the homestead of the study area of which 28 were horticultural, and 15 were timber and fuelwood producing species. Total income was found to increase with increase of farm size. A large number of vegetables (32 species) are cultivated in the study area, largely for local consumption. The study showed that stem amaranthus, indian spinach, aroids, sweet gourd, chili, turmeric, eggplant, and radish were grown under shade of jackfruit, mango, date palm, litchi, mahogany, and drumstick trees. Country bean, bitter gourd, sponge gourd, and cowpea were found to grow as creeper on jackfruit, mango, litchi, mahogany, and drumstick trees. Farmers earned cash income by selling trees and vegetables produced in the homestead. Among different tree species, jackfruit was identified as an important cash generating crop in the study area. Scopes for improvement of tree management practices were prevalent in the study area.