Abstract
High diversity of species in agroforestry homegardens play main agro-ecological roles in complex and sustainable land use systems. Efforts are being made in valuing and protecting the age-old practices of agroforestry on scientific basis in homegardens. This study attempted to analyse the scientific basis of households’ practices and to develop strategies for the promotion of sustainable agroforestry homegardens in Matara district of Sri Lanka. Selected households were interviewed measuring their concern using 5-point Likert scale, and analysed the qualitative data using non-parametric statistics. The study revealed that scientific basis of household practices in agroforestry homegardens are moderate in selection of appropriate trees and plants, and management of trees and plant health care. Households pay little concern on scientific basis in planning and site placement, land preparation and establishment of trees/crops, and implementing proper cultural practices. There is no significant correlation between scientific basis of practices in agroforestry in relation with size of homegardens, educational level of households, and across the category of their occupations. Resources to use scientific knowledge in practice, and opportunity to improve scientific skills have moderate correlation significantly while availability of scientific information and access to scientific knowledge have significant but low correlation as applying knowledge on scientific basis. The interest to acquire scientific knowledge, and sufficient time to improve scientific knowledge, and other reasons have no significant correlation with scientific basis of household practices. Carefully planned interventions including policy adjustments and effective extension programs for learning and experimenting together with supportive programs would enhance scientific basis of household practices for agroforestry in homegardens.
Highlights
The study revealed that scientific basis of household practices in agroforestry homegardens are moderate in selection of appropriate trees and plants, and management of trees and plant health care
The households moderately concern scientific basis on requirement of plants, and drought and disease resistant varieties/cultivars while little concern on growing right plant in right place, and selecting appropriate trees and plants. They moderately concern scientific basis on prevention of diseases, management of pests and control of weeds but not concern the protection of beneficial organisms. They moderately concern the scientific basis in management of soil fertility and conservation as well as the direction of wind while little concern on access to the sun light, convenience for management practices, and the supply of water
Arranging water drainage system and preparing soil conservation structures is moderately concern while altering light conditions and amending soil acidity are little concerned on scientific basis by the households
Summary
Agroforestry homegardens is a complex sustainable land use system which provides environmental services, domestic needs, and income generation opportunities to the household. As woody perennial-based mixed species production systems, agroforestry homegardens ensure food diversity and contribute to food security during the lean seasons (Kumar & Nair, 2004). The households often establish agroforestry in homegardens basically using indigenous knowledge and traditional practices reflecting long-term economic interferences, social interactions, cultural norms and values, environmental experiences and ecological associations. They often use indigenous knowledge and traditional practices in agroforestry homegardens to obtain some benefits from complimentary uses of annuals and woody perennials
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