Identifying the Traditional and Existing Tree–Crop Combination of Agroforestry System in Southern Part of Chhattisgarh, India
Kamesh *
Department of Forestry, Wildlife and Environmental Sciences, Guru Ghasidas (A Central University) Vishwavidyalaya, Bilaspur (Chhattisgarh), 495009, India.
Sharad Nema
School of Studies of Forestry and Wildlife, Shaheed Mahendra Karma Vishwavidyalaya, Jagdalpur, Bastar (Chhattisgarh), 494001, India.
Brijendra Pratap Singh
Department of Forestry, Wildlife and Environmental Sciences, Guru Ghasidas (A Central University) Vishwavidyalaya, Bilaspur (Chhattisgarh), 495009, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The present study was conducted in Bastar district of Chhattisgarh to identify the traditional and existing agroforestry practices used by farmers. The data were collected through survey of field visits and filled out of pre-prepared questionnaires in four blocks of Bastar district, namely Jagdalpur, Bastar, Tokapal and Bakawand. The survey revealed six different types of agroforestry system practices i.e., agrisilvihorticulture, agrisilviculture, silvihorticulture, agrisilvipastoral, silvihortipastoral, and agrisilvihortipastoral. Among these, 67% of farmers were practiced agrisilvihorticulture-type agroforestry systems. Farmers in Bastar were found to use 29 different tree crops, 17 horticultural crops, 20 vegetable crops, and 11 agricultural crops in their fields.
Keywords: Agroforestry, bastar, cropping patterns, livelihood security, sustainability, tree-crop interaction