FRUIT DIVERSITY IN THE HOMESTEAD OF HATIYA ISLAND OF BANGLADESH

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to determine the diversity and distribution of fruit species in the homestead and to explore the relationship between farmers characteristics and fruit diversity in their homestead. Hatiya Island of Noakhali district was the location of the study area. The study covered 80 homesteads from four unions, 20 from each union. The information was collected by using structured questionnaires, formal and informal interviews and field observations. Some information was also gathered by group discussion with the farmers. The information was analyzed by using descriptive statistics. Fruit diversity was described by Species richness, Relative prevalence and Species diversity. In the study, 28 fruit species were identified. Among 28 fruit species, Banana, Mango and Jujube were found in the 100% homestead surveyed. The Relative Prevalence of most common species like Banana(21.71), Betel nut(17.59), Coconut(10.39), Mango(7.69), Date(6.98), Papaya(5.77), Guava(5.67), Jujube(3.61) were very high while that of less common species like Kaow(0.08), Pineapple(0.11), Litchi(0.17), etc. were found very low. Banana and Betel nut were found highly diverse (0.986) fruit species followed by Mango (0.984), Jackfruit (0.984) and Coconut (0.984). The findings revealed that age of the farmers has no relationship with the fruit diversity, while education, family size, area of homestead, area under fruit have low and positive relationship with the fruit diversity but not significant. Annual income from fruit and knowledge about fruit has low and negative relationship with the fruit diversity but not significant. Extensions Media contact have a highly significant and negative relationship with the fruit diversity. Total number of species was found highly positively correlated with fruit diversity. The traditional homestead fruit production system and fruit diversity in the study area was found very poor due to management practices.