Agri-horti systems adopted by farmers in Doon Valley (Uttar Pradesh, India).
Saroj P. L., Arora Y. K., Charan Singh, Lakhan Singh
Author Affiliation: Central Soil & Water Conservation Research & Training Institute, Dehra Dun (U.P.) 248 195, India.
Annals of Forestry 4 : 170-174
Abstract : Based on a survey conducted by a multidisciplinary team in Sahaspur-Vikashnagar Blocks of the Doon Valley (the subhumid foothill zone of the Western Himalayas) during 1993-94, it was observed that due consideration was given by the farmers to various fruit-tree-based agroforestry systems. The main fruit tree species used was mango (57.78% of systems), followed by litchi (15.56%), guava (12.22%), kinnows (mandarins, 7.78%), peaches (4.44%), and lemons and olives (both 1.11%). The orchards were generally on the table top land, but some were on mildly sloping (2-5%) land. A large number of rabi and kharif crops were grown as ground storey crops, based on the need and specific site conditions. Cereals were the most important crops with other types varying according to the season. However, the tree-crop combinations studied did not have satisfactory productivity in many cases because of poor technological knowledge and unscientific management practices. The survey also investigated the plant species (forest trees, other fruit trees, shrubs and grasses) grown all around the boundary of the orchard, and details of these are tabulated, indicating their uses. The farmers showed preference for multipurpose tree species, mainly Morus alba, Grewia optiva, Eucalyptus sp., Bauhinia purpurea, Toona ciliata, Ficus spp. etc.