STATUS, DIVERSITY AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC EFFECTS OF HOMESTEAD AGROFORESTY IN DINAJPUR, BANGLADESH

Abstract

Homestead agroforestry is a traditional agroforestry system practiced all over the country. An explanatory survey was conducted to investigate the present status, species diversity and socio-economic effect of homestead agroforestry in the Northern region of Bangladesh. To conduct the study ten unions of Biral upazila under Dinajpur district were surveyed during June to July, 2016. The data of the experiment were collected on some qualitative and quantatitive characters. The result of the study reveals that, Eucalyptus camadulensis is most diverse species among the different species planted by the respondents in their homestead followed by Mangifera indica and Swietenia mahogoni. The Relative density (RD), abundance (A) and relative abundance (RA) were highest in Eucalyptus (37.38, 34.71, 33.82) while lowest in Tamarindus indica (0.15, 1, 0.97). Similarly, Important Value Index (IVI) was highest in Eucalyptus camadulensis (74.64 percent) followed by 49.63 percent in Mangifera indica and lowest in Tamarindus indica (1.61%). However, Mangifera indica is the most frequent species (90). Among the livestock and poultry, pigeon (7.87) was the most domesticated poultry followed by hen (6.05) and duck (5.96) and lowest was in goat (2.29). The Shannon Index value was 2.523 and evenness 0.645. Furthermore, homestead agroforestry improves socieoeconomic condition of the respondents by ensuring income, meting daily basic needs of the family and provides ecological stability. The homestead agroforestry management practices were mostly done by family members. However, the respodents advised that emphasis should be given by the authority in the availability of good quality seeds/seedlings for plantation in the homesteads and applying more scientific knowledge for management.