Agroforestry options for mango cultivators.
Montiel-Aguirre G., Krishnamurthy L., Vázquez-Alarcón A., Uribe-Gómez M.
Author Affiliation: Centro de Agroforesteria para el Desarrollo Sostenible, Universidad Autónoma Chapingo, 56230 Chapingo, Estado de México, Mexico.
Terra 24 : 409-416
Abstract : The present research was conducted during 2002, with the aim of contributing improved agroforestry options for mango (Mangifera indica) plantations in the state of Michoacan, Mexico, using the Diagnosis and Design methodology developed by the International Center for Research in Agroforestry. The objectives of the present research were to diagnose the land-use problems of the mango producers and to characterize the promising agroforestry options practiced at present by the innovative farmers. The study included the existing agroforestry systems: mango-lemon, mango-guava, mango-bovine, and mango-ovine. The species composition, spatial and temporal organization, products diversification, management regimen, labor requirements, productivity, and economic profitability were analyzed, The results indicate that all agroforestry systems are more productive and economically profitable than monoculture plantations. The values of Land Equivalent Ratio of 2.21 and 1.76 were obtained for lemon+mango and mango+guava, respectively. The maximum and minimum values of benefit/cost ratio of 2.8 and 1.72 were obtained for mango+lemon and mango+ovine+guava, respectively. In addition to the existing systems, there are opportunities for improving agroforestry technologies with the incorporation of several promising plant and animal species, matching biophysical conditions and socioeconomic possibilities of the farmers in the state of Michoacan to contribute to the development of sustainable agriculture.