MULTISTORIED AGROFORESTRY SYSTEM FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF PRODUCTIVITY, PROFITABILITY, AND MAXIMUM LAND USE EFFICIENCY

Abstract

Agroforestry systems perform multiple functions, including increasing productivity and profitability, diversifying food and non-food product co-production, and providing ecological service. Therefore, it is essential to explore the benefits and opportunities provided by diverse agroforestry systems. This study was carried out at the Agroforestry Research Field, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science & Technology University in Dinajpur from November 2022 to February 2023. In this experiment, the upper layer was different trees, followed by pea and cauliflower. The experiment was set following Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. The five treatments were T1 = Mango trees + Pea + Cauliflower, T2 = Litchi trees + Pea + Cauliflower T3 = Mahogany + Pea + Cauliflower, T4 = Sole cropping of cauliflower, and T5 = sole cropping of pea. The data on growth, yield contributing characters and yield of vegetables were collected during this study. The results of this study revealed growth parameters of pea were found maximum in tree-based agroforestry systems i.e. in T3 but the yield (1500 Kg ha-1) was maximum in the sole cropping of pea while the lowest yield (75.66 Kg ha-1) of pea was recorded under Mango trees. In the case of cauliflower growth, yield attributes and yield (17.42 ton ha-1) were maximum in a tree-based agroforestry system i.e. T3 (Mahogany+ Pea + Cauliflower). The maximum Gross return was found in T3 (699996 Tk ha-1) and the lowest gross return was calculated from T4 (105970 Tk ha-1 ). The net return was highest in T2 (545852 Tk ha-1 ) and lowest in T4 (-29755 Tk ha-1 ). The mahogany-cauliflower-pea-based (T3) agroforestry system performed the best, with a benefit-cost ratio (BCR) of 4.54 and a Land Equivalent Ratio (LER) value of 1.66. In summary, the study found that upscaling vegetables in the spatial arrangement in the form of a multistoried agroforestry system might ensure higher returns, aid in food supply and nutritional security, and provide regulating services for the people. Keywords: Multistoried agroforestry, Productivity, Cauliflower, Higher returns