Evaluation of Farmer’s Woodlots: A Common Agroforestry System Used to Establish Forest Plantations

S M C U P Subasinghe,K M T S Jayarathne

doi:10.4038/jepsl.v8i1.7874

Abstract

Farmer’s woodlot is a common agroforestry system used to establish forest plantations while increasing farmer’s income and proper utilization of marginal lands. This study was conducted to evaluate the farmer’s woodlots established in dry and intermediate zones of Sri Lanka. 17 teak plantations were selected from three districts. Three farmer’s woodlots from each plantation were randomly selected for the data collection and 170 farmers were interviewed using a questionnaire survey. dbh and total height were measured for the trees and soil samples were collected to determine organic carbon, nitrates, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium and calcium. Growth of teak in farmer’s woodlots was less than the average growth rates of the yield tables. Soil nutrients were present at very low levels and calcium was detected only in four plantations. Nitrate, potassium and magnesium were significantly different between the selected plantations and only nitrate was significantly correlated with teak growth. All farmers requested to extend the present 25-year land lease agreement to earn more income from teak. Poor site quality, damage caused by wild elephants, fire, insects and pests were common so that both timber growth and the yield of seasonal crops was low. Lack of technical support was also highlighted.

Highlights

Expansion of tropical plantation forests using tree species grown primarily as agricultural crops supplies timber for industries in considerable manner
About 23 Mha teak forests have been established in the Asia-Pacific region. It is being grown as plantations in at least 36 countries across three tropical regions, i.e., Tropical Asia, Tropical Africa and South America (Fisher 2000)
In Polonnaruwa and Kurunegala districts farmer’s woodlots were present only in Habarana and Galgamuwa forest ranges and those two ranges were selected to represent the above two districts (Table 1)

Summary

Introduction

Expansion of tropical plantation forests using tree species grown primarily as agricultural crops supplies timber for industries in considerable manner. The pioneer species such as Tectona, Pinus and Eucalyptus account 85% of all forest plantations. About 23 Mha teak forests have been established in the Asia-Pacific region. It is being grown as plantations in at least 36 countries across three tropical regions, i.e., Tropical Asia, Tropical Africa and South America (Fisher 2000). Production of high quality wood in relatively long rotations of 50-70 years has been the usual practice ever since the world’s first teak plantation was established in Kerala, India in 1842. Shorter rotations for 20-30 years of both veneer and saw log production for relatively quick returns are being employed in many countries (Niles et al 2002)

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion