Dept. of Agroforestry And Environment

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EVALUATION OF PRODUCTIVITY, PROFITABILITY, AND LAND USE EFFICIENCY OF DIVERSE TREE-BASED MULTISTORIED AGROFORESTRY SYSTEMS
(HAJEE MOHAMMAD DANESH SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY UNIVERSITY, DINAJPUR-5200, BANGLADESH, 2024-06) BARMAN, CHITTRA RANI; Hanif , Dr. Md. Abu; Ali, Md. Manik
Multistoried agroforestry systems involve the integration of multiple layers of vegetation within an agricultural or forestry setting for increasing productivity, profitability, diversifying products, promoting land use efficiency and providing ecological service. Therefore, it is important to explore the benefits and opportunities offered by diverse agroforestry systems. A field experiment was carried out at the Agroforestry Research Field, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science &Technology University in Dinajpur from April 2023 to July 2023 to study the performance of Snake gourd and stem amaranth in association with mango, litchi and mahogany trees as agroforestry system. The experiment was set following Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. The five treatments were T1 = Mango trees + Snake gourd + Stem amaranth, T2 = Litchi trees + Snake gourd + Stem amaranth, T3 = Mahogany trees + Snake gourd + Stem amaranth, T4 = Sole cropping of snake gourd, T5 = Sole cropping of Stem amaranth. The data on growth, yield contributing characters and yield of Snake gourd and Stem amaranth were collected during this study with or without mango, litchi and mahogany tree combinations. The results of this study revealed that the growth parameters and yield of Snake gourd were found maximum in mango tree based agroforestry systems i.e. in T1 and the yield was 22.50 ton ha-1 while the lowest yield (9 ton ha-1) was recorded in the sole cropping of snake gourd. In the case of stem amaranth growth, yield attributes and yield (18.99 ton ha-1) were maximum in the mango tree-based agroforestry systems, i.e. T1 (Mango + Snake gourd + Stem amaranth). The maximum gross return was found in T3 (1015650 Tk. ha-1) and the lowest gross return was calculated from T5 (147100 Tk. ha-1). The net return was highest in T3 (723180 Tk. ha-1) and lowest in T5 ( 13160 Tk. ha-1). The Mahogany - Snake gourd – Stem amaranth (T3) multistoried agroforestry system performed the best, with a benefit-cost ratio (BCR) of 3.47. However, land equivalent ratio (LER) was the highest (3.04) in T2 (litchi – snake gourd – stem amaranth) agroforestry system. In a concluding remark, the research indicated that growing vegetables in the form of a multistory agroforestry system may result in increased yields and ensure economic benefits which can support food security and availability, and offer socially beneficial regulating functions.
MINOR FRUIT TREES IN HOMESTEAD AND ITS IMPACT ON FOOD AND NUTRITIONAL SECURITY: A CASE STUDY OF NOTHERN BANGLADESH
(HAJEE MOHAMMAD DANESH SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY UNIVERSITY, DINAJPUR-5200, BANGLADESH, 2024-06) SHAFI, HABIBULLAH AHAMMED; Ali, Md. Manik; Bari, Professor Dr. Md. Shafiqul
This research investigates into the significant role of minor fruit trees within homestead agroforestry systems as crucial components for fostering food and nutritional security among rural communities facing economic challenges. Drawing on robust empirical evidence from impoverished communities, the research emphasizes the diverse and multi-functional benefits derived from the strategic integration of minor fruit trees. This study investigates the demographic characteristics, botanical diversity, productivity, and socio-environmental impacts of minor fruit species cultivated in rural households. The study investigate the demographic profile of the homesetead. The sample population has a mean age of 45.87 years (SD = 8.381), an average of 6.57 years of schooling (SD = 4.951), and a mean annual income of 107.897 thousand BDT (SD = 59.319). The households have an average family size of 4.99 (SD = 1.398) and homestead size of 0.159 hectares (SD = 0.09). The Botanical diversity assessments show significant clustering of minor fruit species within the Myrtaceae, Arecaceae, and Sapotaceae families, with Boroi (Spondias pinnata) emerging as the most prevalent species (relative prevalence of 1.43). Productivity evaluations reveal Tal as the highest-yielding species, averaging 300 units per tree, followed by Kamranga, Jam, and Boroi. Monthly fruit productivity varies seasonally, peaking in July (60 kg) and dipping in December (2.16 kg). The socio-environmental analysis highlights minor fruits' significant contributions to income diversification, nutritional security, and local economic growth. However, constraints such as small homestead size (CFI = 471), pest and disease susceptibility (CFI = 428), and water requirements (CFI = 419) challenge production. The study concludes that integrating minor fruit trees into agroforestry systems enhances food and nutritional security for economically disadvantaged rural communities. These findings advocate for policies promoting the cultivation of high-yield species and sustainable agricultural practices to boost socio-economic resilience and environmental sustainability.
PRODUCTION POTENTIALITY OF MARIGOLD (Tagetes erecta) IN DIVERSE PRODUCTION SYSTEMS
(HAJEE MOHAMMAD DANESH SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY UNIVERSITY, DINAJPUR-5200, BANGLADESH, 2024-06) SAHA, SHUVO; Hanif, Dr. Md. Abu; Ali, Md. Manik
Marigold cultivation is now a profitable enterprise for farmers, but the socioeconomic data and information on this flower are very scarce in Bangladesh. Beyond their aesthetic appeal, these humble flowers carry a profound cultural significance in various societies. Therefore, the study was conducted to identify agronomic practices and analyze relative profitability and input-output at the experimental area of the Department of Agroforestry and Environment, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, from 2023-24. The experiment was laid out in a single factor Randomized Completely Block Design (RCBD) having three treatments with three Replicationons viz. T1 multistoried agroforestry (Litchi+Marigold+Bottle Gourd), T2 intercropping system (Marigold+Bottle Gourd) and T3 (Sole cropping of Marigold). The growth parameters (plant height, leaf number, number of bud) and yield parameters (flower number, flower size and total yield) of marigold were collected throughout the study period at different harvesting intervals. Moreover, data on litchi and bottle gourd production were also recorded. The results of this study revealed the most favorable growth characteristics and yield outcomes are obtained when cultivating marigold in intercropping with bottle gourd (T2) and marigold sole cropping (T3). The yield of marigold flower number was highest (12,00,000 ha-1) in marigold sole cropping followed by in intercropping with bottle gourd (10,40,000 ha-1). The yield reduction in marigold intercropping and agroforestry system was 13% and 26% respectively. The Benefit-Cost Ratio (BCR) was maximum in bottle gourd sole cropping (2.96); almost similar to marigold intercropping (2.21) and in multistoried agroforestry systems (2.17). The LER values of 2.64 for Litchi+Bottle Gourd+Marigold and 1.69 for Bottle Gourd+Marigold highlight their respective efficiencies in utilizing resources, yielding 2.64 and 1.69 times more per unit area than monocropped counterparts. These findings underscore the economic and ecological benefits of practicing multistoried agroforestry system for farmers, demonstrating its potential to optimize land use, increase productivity, and enhance agricultural sustainability.