Form Of Agroforestry Research Articles

Influence of livelihood assets on biodiversity and household food security in tropical homegardens along urbanisation gradients

Abstract By 2050, 70% of the global population will reside in urban areas, raising concerns about food security and biodiversity loss. Tropical homegardens, a form of agroforestry, may have the potential to align concurrent demands for biodiversity conservation and food security in urban environments. Nevertheless, this depends on land-use decision-making strategies that are enabled by household livelihood assets. We examined which livelihood assets are associated with homegarden agrobiodiversity and food availability and accessibility in Kerala, India, the nature of these associations, and whether they vary along urbanisation gradients using data from 304 homegardens. We observed higher plant species richness closer to the urban centre and in smaller homegardens. Meanwhile, yields and share of household food consumption from homegardens tend to be higher farther away from urban centres. Assets like fertilizer use, irrigation and kinship affiliation are positively associated with both homegarden agrobiodiversity and food outcomes. Conversely, homegarden size is negatively associated with biodiversity outcomes across urbanisation gradients and positively associated with yield outcomes furthest away from urban centre. Some assets like family labour and farming association membership were only positively associated with food outcomes, while others like external labour availability were positively associated only with plant diversity in the urban centre. Overall, synergies between homegarden agrobiodiversity and household food security requires inputs to natural processes, such as irrigation and soil fertility, and social processes like knowledge sharing and social cohesion, especially in urban peripheries. We emphasize the relevance of homegardens and enhancing livelihood assets for food-secure households in biodiverse urban environments.

The potential of silvopasture in California: producer perspectives

ABSTRACT Silvopasture is a form of agroforestry that has been practiced around the globe for millennia and involves integrating trees, livestock, and forage within the same area. Recent increased attention and research on this practice has provided greater evidence that it can deliver both economic and environmental benefits, including climate mitigation and adaptation. However, it is not widely used in the United States. The objective of this study was to gain a better understanding of the current state of silvopasture and opportunities for expansion of this practice in California, one of the primary agricultural regions in the United States. California is geographically suited to silvopasture and already has large land areas dedicated to both orchards and grazing though these two types of agriculture are typically managed and documented separately. We report the results of our statewide survey of silvopasture producers, including benefits, motivations, and challenges associated with this practice. Finally, we recommend ways in which the barriers to silvopasture adoption could be reduced.

Assessment of biomass and carbon storage of a Populus simonii windbreak located in the Western Cape Province, South Africa

The integration of trees within agricultural systems delivers the opportunity to provide multiple benefits over those afforded by agriculture without trees. The use of windbreaks as a form of agroforestry, in water scarce environments, is primarily used to reduce windspeeds in order to decrease evapotranspiration. Quick growing poplar species such as Populus simonii ((Carrière) Wesm.) are frequently utilised within windbreak structures, but to date, few allometric equations are available to quantify biomass production and to make inferences about carbon storage potential of this species, and none outside the forest. To fill this knowledge gap, we destructively sampled 17 P. simonii growing within a windbreak on a wine estate in the Western Cape Provence, South Africa. Power functions were constructed to explain tree height, whole tree aboveground woody biomass, stem and branch biomass as a function of stem diameter at 1.3 m. Additional functions were developed to predict individual branch length and biomass based on branch stub diameter. The presented models explained each variable with high significance. The models could be used to estimate carbon stock per km of windbreak for the given example. Furthermore, bark percentage predicted by stem sectional diameter was modelled to provide a function that can separate wood and bark fractions as a further outlook for the species’ utilisation.

Management of the Lati Petangis grand forest park (TAHURA): roles and perceptions of forest farmer groups

This research aims to identify and descriptively analyze the roles and perceptions of Forest Farmers Groups in the management of Tahura Lati Petangis in Batu Engau District, Paser Regency. This research uses a quantitative descriptive approach. The sample in this study consisted of all members of the three Forest Farmers Groups located around the Tahura Lati Petangis area, totaling 52 people. The results showed that the role of the Forest Farmer Group, which is a partner in the management of Tahura Lati Petangis, is to make efforts to restore the ecosystem and make efforts to manage forests sustainably in the form of Agroforestry, where partnerships with forest farmer groups are carried out in the form of work orders. While the perception of the Forest Farmer Group in the management of Tahura Lati Petangis shows that this partnership is very beneficial for forest farmer groups, they also get insight, skills, and wages from the Tahura Lati Petangis management, because they have planted and maintained the main plant, namely forest plants, and besides that, they also get additional income from planting intercrops and coaching from the Tahura Lati Petangis management.

Development Of Samia Silkworms, Cassava Leaves And Sissy Plants With Medicinal Properties In Yard Intensification With Simple Agroforestry Patterns For The Younger Generation In The Widodomartani Community, Ngemplak, Sleman, Special Region of Yogyakarta

The Widodomartani community has practiced land management in their yard with simple agroforestry as a form of intensification. For the younger generation to understand the practice of agroforestry from an early age, it is necessary to introduce it so that they are motivated to practice it as part of the family income. There are 4 forms of agroforestry, namely trees planted regularly with non-tree plants, there are 2 compositions, namely sengon trees with kimpul, Japanese papaya, sissy. Trees were planted around the land and non-tree trees, such as mahogany, cassava, sweet potato, chili, papaya, ginger, turmeric, galangal, and sissy were planted inside. Mixed trees with 2 trees, namely the composition of mahogany trees, coffee, and mahogany trees, wadang, melinjo, coffee, sissy. Mixed trees next to it are land planted with non-tree 1 composition of mahogany, melinjo, ketapang, johar and the land next to it is banana, papaya, moringa, ginger, chili, spinach, tomato, eggplant, sissy. 2 plants are trying to be more popularized, namely the Sissy plant and Cassava or Cassava. The sissy plant is popularized because it is easy to grow in various conditions, can help treat intestinal and digestive disorders, and is easy to consume like spinach. Cassava or cassava plants for added value, one of which is used to develop Samia silkworm silk.

Fostering agroforestry? Lessons from the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire

Promoting the emergence of agroforestry in Côte d'Ivoire has become a national priority. The country's agricultural sector generates 70% of export income, employs two-thirds of the working population and contributes one-third of GDP. However, this remarkable economic performance is based on cash crop farming, which has developed at the expense of natural forests, resulting in one of the most alarming deforestation rates in the world. To address this situation, the Ivorian government is promoting agroforestry as a solution, particularly in the cocoa sector. However, a detailed analysis of the origin of the trees present in cropfields suggests that agroforestry in Côte d'Ivoire can be divided into two categories: reforestation agroforestry, which restores forest cover by gradually associating trees with cocoa trees, and deforestation agroforestry, which degrades and impoverishes forest cover by converting natural forests into agroforestry systems. It is crucial to distinguish between these two forms of agroforestry in order to develop policies that encourage reforestation rather than deforestation. Also essential is to develop and set up dynamic agroforestry monitoring indicators that can assess the agroforestry trajectories of cropfields over time, and thus encourage farmers' long-term commitment to increasing forest cover.

Power through trees. State territorialization by means of privatization and ‘agrobizforestry’ in Côte d'Ivoire

International pressure related to deforestation in the context of climate change and national issues concerning the sustainability of cocoa production have become increasingly prominent on political and media agendas. In 2018, Côte d'Ivoire, the world's largest cocoa producer that has experienced high deforestation rates, adopted a new forest policy willing to transform its more than 75% degraded gazetted forests into agroforests. According to state law, cash crops are prohibited in gazetted forests that are dedicated to logging but most have been ‘illegally’ occupied by people, encouraged by national economic development policies. The new legislation that created the agroforest concept, now authorizes agriculture but only in the form of agroforestry in gazetted forests as a way to regain forest cover. Agroforests must preferably be developed by private companies. This article is part of an analysis of environmental policies related to reforestation and agricultural transition, from a political science perspective. It suggests instrumentalization of socio-environmental issues and agroforestry for political and economic purposes. The article analyzes how and why agribusinesses are designated as being the best placed to implement a socio-ecological transition and the social and ecological consequences of the designation. This privatization is part of a context of disavowal by a state institution responsible for the management of gazetted forests in a neoliberal context, but in no way represents a withdrawal or loss of power by the state. The Ivorian state is using private intermediaries to regain control over these gazetted forests, contested territories over which it lost control.

Agroforestry in Shade Coffee Plantations as an Emission Reduction Strategy for Tropical Regions: Public Acceptance and the Role of Tree Banking

Support for the adoption of climate change mitigation measures in low-income regions depends on how such activities contribute to generating household income and gaining confidence from the local community. The planning of mitigation measures or pro-environmental activities need to consider the cost of deployment, customization of activities according to local conditions, and socio-cultural background and perceptions of people. This paper analyses the incentive induced “agroforestry” or “planting trees in farmland” as part of the Carbon Neutral Programme supported by the Government of Kerala in Meenangadi Grama Panchayath, Wayanad district. An increase in tree cover is proposed as a strategy for increasing carbon sequestration. Planting more trees in farmland (except grain cultivated areas) along with crops, according to farmers, may reduce crop yield and discourage farmers’ participation. The Government of Kerala put forward the concept of a tree banking/tree incentive program to attract farmers to expand tree cover. A survey was conducted among 100 individuals from the Meenangadi Grama Panchayath to assess the perceptions and concerns of farmers about the proposed “Agroforestry”/Tree Banking program. The sample size was chosen from the population assuming a 9.98% error tolerance. Tree Banking Programme designed to encourage farmers to plant trees has gained public interest, and the study also documented the factors influencing the willingness of farmers for planting trees. The study revealed that the majority of the individuals (93% of the survey participants) residing in the region are interested in supporting the activities for climate change mitigation. Financial incentives announced under tree banking generated interest among farmers. 89% of the survey participants consider the incentive scheme to be an attractive option, as it can compensate for the short-term loss in crop productivity. However, farmers were very selective in choosing the tree species to be planted on their farms. Incentivization helps to make sure that a large proportion of the planted saplings will grow into mature trees. Overall, it can be concluded that afforestation in the form of agroforestry could be potentially attractive to the farmers and contribute towards achieving carbon neutrality for tropical agricultural areas.

Visual soil structure quality and its correlation to quantitative soil physical properties of upland rice site in Falcataria moluccana agroforestry system

Abstract. Briliawan BD, Wijayanto N, Wasis B. 2022. Visual soil structure quality and its correlation to quantitative soil physical properties of upland rice site in Falcataria moluccana agroforestry system. Biodiversitas 23: 1894-1903. Sengon and upland rice are plants that have the potential to be combined in the agroforestry system. However, its development often results in poor quantitative soil physical properties. Measuring the soil’s physical properties is expensive and complicated to do by some people. This study aims to measure the visual soil structure quality from different land covers and calculate its correlation to the parameters of the soil’s physical properties. The research was conducted in the Cikabayan forest and used the purposive sampling method to take soil samples. The research was conducted by comparing nine land covers in the form of agroforestry and monoculture developed in organic and conventional agriculture with tropical rainforests as natural vegetation. Three samples were taken for each land cover type and analyzed with a completely randomized design. The research showed that the vegetation of tropical rainforest generated the best score on all visual soil structure quality measurement methods (VESS, GrassVESS Sq and GrassVESS Rm). The measurement of soil physical properties at natural vegetation of tropical rainforests generated the highest score on the porosity (57.303%). Meanwhile, monoculture-conventional land generated the highest bulk density (1.373 g.cm-3). The VESS method had the highest correlation with soil physical properties compared to other visual soil structure quality measurement methods. Thus, natural vegetation is the best type of land cover compared to all cultivated land and the VESS method is the most appropriate method for estimating soil physical properties.

Struktur Vegetasi, Komposisi, dan Serapan Karbon Pekarangan Di Desa Duyung, Kecamatan Trawas, Kabupaten Mojokerto

Pekarangan is one form of agroforestry that is commonly located in front, back, and/or side of the house. The tiered canopy stratification and varying root depths make agroforestry able to prevent global warming. The purpose of this research is to know the vegetation structure, composition, and carbon absorption of pekarangan in Duyung Village, Trawas Region, Mojokerto Regency. Collecting data using purposive sampling methodwhere the work area is divided into 3 zones, that is theclosest (zone A), the middle (zone B), and the farthest zone (zone C) based on distance from the mountain to the village with 3 samples of pekarangan per zone. The result showed that the highest INP value of stake level is coffee (Coffea sp.) at 45%, the pole level is banana (Musa sp.) at 95%, and the tree level is durian (D. zibethinus) at 55%. Diversity index (H’), wealth index (R), and evenness index (E) at stake level have the highest value. Canopy stratification in all pekarangan is strata C and D. The highest biomass value was found in zone A of 229,95 ton/ha or carbon stock of 105,78ton/ha.
 Keywords: agroforestry, carbon absorption, species composition, vegetation structure

Perception and adaptation of agroforestry farmers in Upper Citarum Watershed to climate change

Agroforestry is a form of an agricultural system that is adaptive to climate change. Based on the institutional form, the farming system developed under the social forestry program is agroforestry. This form of agroforestry is the essential capital for farmers to establish in their cultivated lands further. This study aim to determine agroforestry farmers’ perceptions in the Upper Citarum Watershed on climate change and the adaptation activities. The sample farmers are a sub-set of farmer households sample in the socio-economic survey conducted by ICASEPS – ACIAR in the collaborative research in 2019. The reliability of the data on variables that reflect farmers’ perceptions of adverse shocks experienced, which directly or indirectly related to climate changes, is tested with Cronbach’s Alpha. Data analysis is performed by cross-tabulation, while multiple regressions are used to determine the effect of social forestry cultivated areas on farmers’ income. The results show that more than 55 percent of farmers participating in social forestry say that since the last ten years climate patterns are increasingly unpredictable. The most negative impacts of climate change impacts are indirect effects which are pests and diseases. Popular adaptation are reactive ones, namely increasing the use of pesticides and more intensive use of inorganic fertilizers. Farmers adaptation which are more synergistic with mitigation such as organic farming or cultivation of perennial crops are still relatively low. The increase in the arable land area due to social forestry has significantly increased farmer’s household income. Referring to this phenomenon, conducive policies to increase farmer participation in these adaptation actions are needed.

Which Agroforestry Practice Is Beneficial? A Comparative Assessment of the Traditional and the Improved Agroforestry Techniques in the Midhills of Nepal

Farmers are predominantly adopting two forms of agroforestry, traditional and improved practices, in the midhills of Nepal, but their efficacy on a comparative basis is poorly assessed, so farmers often confuse whether to continue the traditional practice or embrace the improved practice. We carried out a study in six villages of three districts, interviewed 210 farmers adopting each practice, organized six focus group discussions, and interacted with 24 key informants to compare agroforestry practices from income generation and forest conservation perspectives. An individual household adopting the improved practice annually generated 841.60 US$, which was more than two folds of the traditional practitioner. Similarly, the improved practitioner annually fulfilled 84% demand for forest products from the adopted agroforestry practice, whereas the traditional practitioner only fulfilled about 50%. The fodder, fuelwood, and timber productions were found to be significantly higher in the improved practice, whereas leaf litter production was found to be almost similar. The improved practitioners seemed to be self-sustained in forest products, where the traditional practitioners only satisfied half of their requirements from the agroforestry practice. The study concludes that the improved agroforestry practice is more beneficial compared to the traditional practice. Therefore, we suggest the traditional practitioners to modify their ongoing practice to enhance the contribution of agroforestry practice at the local level.

Soil carbon of hedgerows and ‘ghost’ hedgerows

Agroforestry can contribute significantly to carbon sequestration in agricultural lands, as carbon accumulates both in tree biomass and the soil. One of the oldest, yet declining, forms of agroforestry in Europe are hedgerow-bordered fields. An analysis of historical maps of our study area in Belgium shows that 70% of the hedgerow network was cleared since 1960, creating a large number of ‘ghost’ hedgerows. We selected arable fields next to hedgerows, 'ghost' hedgerows and grass strips to study how hedgerow trees influence SOC stocks and how much of these are still present after hedgerow clearing. SOC stocks to a depth of 23 cm reached up to 81.7 ± 28.8 Mg C ha−1 in hedgerows, storing a considerably larger amount of soil carbon compared to grass strips (56.6 ± 14.5 Mg C ha−1). These built-up stocks were completely gone in 'ghost' hedgerows (57.9 ± 14.1 Mg C ha−1). In the fields adjacent to hedgerows, SOC stocks were only slightly (and insignificantly) increased compared to stocks in fields with grass strips (56.4 ± 6.3 vs 55.6 ± 5.0 Mg C ha−1) with an exponential decay up to 30 m from the margin. This trend was still limitedly detectable in 'ghost' hedgerowbordered fields, however stocks were not elevated anymore (53.9 ± 6.1 Mg C ha−1). Since 1960, 4 957 ± 1 664 Mg C from the soil alone were released back into the atmosphere due to hedgerow removal in the study area. The implementation of a strict hedgerow conservation policy would thus be a highly effective climate change mitigation measure in agricultural landscapes.

Assessment of coffee-based agroforestry system performance by provinces in the Central Highlands of Vietnam

Dominated by intensive coffee monocultures for the last 30 years, farmers in the Central Highlands of Vietnam has been increasingly experienced with farming difficulties given resource degradation, market and climate uncertainties. In recent years, a number of farmers have diversified their coffee farms toward the forms of agroforestry: through integrating fruit and other crops into coffee farms. This study, by referring to the existing 10 agroforestry systems and 10 forestry ecological zones identified in the region for its approach, conducted in 20 communes throughout five provinces in the region at the coffee harvesting period in the end of 2018. In total, 249 farmers were identified through snowball sampling technique and successfully interviewed. Five major agroforestry systems are identified with sufficient sample size for statistical analyses. By detailed assessment of inputs used and revenue, this study proves that agroforestry systems strongly enhance farmer’s income. However, the success varies among the five studied provinces. Farmer’s technical know-how and their choice on 2nd crop made their agroforestry farming profit largely different. Given the fact that large percentage of land in the tropics is too dry, too steep, or too rocky to be classified as arable land which has been further problematic through increasing exposure to erosion resulting from unsustainable farming practices, often driven by intensive monocultures, efforts to promote agroforestry in Vietnam in particular and the tropics in general is thus needed, not only for surviving increasing population but also recovering and protecting the environment. In the situation of the Central Highlands of Vietnam, together with efforts in promoting agroforestry, a restructure of farming system needs to be considered in accordance with foreseeable difficulties in farming conditions, i.e., more water stress will be happened in certain provinces. These provinces should take a shift more toward less-irrigation dependent crops and reduce their dependence on coffee. These changes will create a better common guarantee for all farmers in coping with future uncertainties.

Hydrological responses of micro-catchments under different farming practices in Banjarnegara, Indonesia

Effects of two different farming practices namely mixed-cropping (i.e. agroforestry) and mono-cropping systems on hydrological responses were investigated based on a paired catchment method. Two catchments namely Tamansari catchment (16.4 Ha) and Penanggungan catchment (3.6 Ha), both are located in Banjarnegara district, Central Java, Indonesia, were studied. Based on drone mapping, the dominant land use of the Tamansari catchment was agroforestry where trees were combined with seasonal crops like cabbage, potatoes and carrots on the same unit of land, whereas the dominant land use of the Penanggungan was seasonal crops without any trees. For both catchments, meteorological data and discharge data were available from May 2017 to March 2018, so that made it possible to compare each other. Furthermore, the hydrological responses of the two catchments were compared for their water balance and the annual, seasonal and monthly Flow Duration Curves (FDC). The results showed that both catchments had their lowest rainfall in August and their highest rainfall in February. Based on the FDC, the Tamansari generally had a steadier flow and the range of discharge values was smaller than the Penanggungan, especially on February, the wettest month of the year. In the drier periods, the two catchments behave similarly, but in general, the Tamansari produced more discharge than the Penanggungan. Finally, based on the observation, it can generally conclude that a micro catchment mostly occupied with seasonal crops like in the Penanggungan catchment reacted more extreme to rainfall than a micro catchment mostly occupied with combined trees and seasonal crops in form of agroforestry like in the Tamansari catchment.

Smallholder farmers’ perception on oil palm agroforestry

Oil palm has become a prominent agricultural commodity in Indonesia. It is widely adopted mainly as monoculture plantations both by smallholders and large scale companies. Evidence shows that these massive monoculture practices have led to adverse impacts to environmental and social systems as well as unsustainable growth of the producing regions. Particularly, smallholder farmers have encountered difficulties to cope with the fluctuating oil palm price. We argue that adding perennial trees and other agricultural crops or combining with livestock breeding in the form of agroforestry could become an alternative for smallholder farmers to deal with this problem. Oil palm agroforestry (OPAF) has been voluntarily adopted by smallholder farmers at limited scales. This article aims at analysing smallholder farmers’ perception on oil palm agroforestry in terms of production and potential contribution to improve environment. Intensive fieldworks were conducted in Jambi and Central Kalimantan to investigate smallholder farmers’ perception on oil palm agroforestry. This research reveals that the relatively large proportion of smallholder farmers perceived that (a) oil OPAF produces less of oil palm fresh bunch fruits and demands more complex management compared to those with monoculture system, (b) OPAF helps smallholder farmers to cope with the FFB price fluctuation and improves household food security, and (c) OPAF improves environmental quality in general. From these results, we learned that smallholder farmers have various perceptions on OPAF which are ranged from very positive to very negative. These smallholder farmers’ perceptions could become important factors which determine their decisions in adopting or not adopting OPAF. Therefore, more efforts are needed to improve farmers’ confidence in adopting oil palm agroforestry. Furthermore, we need more evidence on how oil palm agroforestry system could provide a socially, economically and environmentally feasible alternative to monoculture system.

Potensi Hutan Rakyat Sebagai Penghasil Pangan di Desa Paku Kabupaten Polman, Sulawesi Barat

Food security is one of the efforts to create people's prosperity, related to this, the role of various sectors is needed to contribute in national food security programs. Every region has a community forest that produces food to meet the needs of its people. So far, information regarding forest food in West Sulawesi is still very minimal. This study provides information about the potential of community forests as food producers in Paku Village, Binuang District, Polman Regency. The time of the study was carried out from March to December 2018. This study used survey and interview methods for 12 respondents in locations that randomly plotted 20 x 20 meters. Data analysis using descriptive quantitative. The results of this study indicate that the potential of community forests in Paku Village in supporting good food needs, from community forests is able to produce 46.01% of food commodities consisting of 12 types of food based on the form of agroforestry. Some dominant types of food are sugar palm (Arenga pinnata), Cocoa (Theobroma cacao), Mango (Mangifera indica).

A Potential Fast Growing Tree for Agroforestry and Carbon Sequestration in India: Anthocephalus cadamba (Roxb.) Miq.

Anthocephalus cadamba commonly known as Kadamb tree In India is a large tropical tree with straight cylindrical bole belongs to family Rubiaceae. A. cadamba tree is fast growing in nature and can grow in different parts of India. Considering the high demand of wood in India; A. cadamba is one of the promising and potential trees, being grown on the farm land in the form of Agroforestry. The wood of A. cadamba is multipurpose in nature having white to creamy white and straight grain with fine to medium texture wood which is used in variety of services such as ply-wood, pencil making, match splints, pulp wood for paper, packing cases, toys, wooden shoes, flooring, carving and crates etc. The fast decomposition rate of A. cadamba is also make it more compatible for the emerging agroforestry systems in various parts of India and considered to be very useful tree in agroforestry and Carbon Sequestration.

Viable Alternatives to the Rice-Wheat Cropping System in Punjab

On-farm experiments conducted on alluvial soils of Punjab with diverse crop rotations of different water requirement showed that at Nawanshahar, mean yield of wheat was similar for rice-wheat system (RWS; 4.0 Mg/ha) and maize-wheat system (MWS; 4.3 Mg/ha). Mean yield of maize was also similar in the MWS (4.4 Mg/ha) and maize-rapeseed system (MRS; 4.4 Mg/ha). Although output in gross returns (GR) and return on variable expenses (ROVE) were higher for RWS in Nawanshahar district, substituting maize for rice in the monsoon season is preferred because of savings in water. In Faridkot district, the monetary returns were higher for the cotton-wheat system (CWS), which makes judicious use of groundwater as compared to the non-traditional RWS. Soil organic carbon (SOC) concentration at Nawanshahar increased from a mean initial level of 0.44% to 0.50% when both rice and wheat residues were burned; 0.51% when rice straw was incorporated but wheat straw was removed; and 0.57% when both rice and wheat straw were incorporated. At Faridkot site, the SOC concentration increased from a mean initial level of 0.39% to 0.49% when both rice and wheat straw were incorporated. The positive effect of straw incorporation on soil quality was more pronounced in the light-textured soil (sandy loam) at Faridkot than in loamy soil at Nawanshahar. Soil bulk density at the Faridkot site decreased from 1.65 Mg/m3 to 1.58 Mg/m3, and water infiltration rate increased from 6.1 mm/hr to 7.6 mm/hr. Straw incorporation increased soil organic carbon pool at the Faridkot site by 1 Mg/ha in 0-15 cm depth across a two year period. Comparative economics of residue incorporation in RWS across three years showed that, although the GR (Rs/ha) was the same in straw-burned and straw-incorporated treatments, the improvements in soil quality that the straw incorporation brings about for sustainable agriculture in the long-run offset any advantage of burning straw and gave higher net returns and benefit-cost ratio (BCR) in the short-term. Efficient on-farm water management using fertigation technology was demonstrated in a farmer's field for production of vegetables throughout the year. Diversified agriculture in the form of agroforestry and fish culture as alternative land-use options were also demonstrated in farmers' fields. Agroforestry interventions involving poplar trees with a range of intercrops were found to be useful cyclic interventions in the land-use and management strategy for sustainable agriculture in the intensively cultivated alluvial soils of Punjab.

Quantifying and comparing the value of non-timber forest products in the Amazon

The use of sustainable harvest practices in the tropics is often proposed as a way to maintain the environment and address the poverty issues that dominate many tropical regions of the world. In theory, the adoption of these methods can provide win–win solutions to tropical deforestation because they address the environmental consequences of deforestation while increasing the welfare of forest inhabitants. However, there is little reliable data that can be used to test this hypothesis since many of the goods produced in sustainable systems do not have well-defined markets and are most often consumed at home. This paper examines the benefits of collecting and harvesting non-timber forest products in the tropics through various methods using household panel data collected in 1996 and 2000 in the Ouro Preto do Oeste region of Rondônia, Brazil. We estimate the use-value of land under forest, agriculture, and pasture and complement these estimations with census data and regression analysis. Our estimations reveal that households utilizing sustainable practices in the forms of agroforestry and the collection of non-timber forest products have significantly higher levels of diversification. We conclude that directing policy towards “win–win” strategies may not be desirable for reducing both poverty and deforestation in this region since we find no clear evidence that these can successfully be addressed simultaneously. Sustainable development policy should focus on increasing the value of the forest, or reducing the opportunity cost of leaving standing forest on the household lot, if sustainable production strategies are to be more attractive to households in the future.