Study of sabai grass based agroforestry for wasteland reclamation in SPWD sponsored project of Sevabrata in Purulia (West Bengal)
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Date
2009
Authors
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Publisher
Birsa Agricultural University, Kanke, Ranchi, Jharkhand
Abstract
The present experiment was conducted on the “Study of sabai grass based
agroforestry for wasteland reclamation in SPWD sponsored project of Sevabrata
in Purulia (West Bengal)" at Dighi, Pittidih, & Gopalpur villages of Purulia
District of West Bengal. The survey was conducted to know the effect of sabai
grass based agroforestry on socio economic status with the following objectives 1.
Knowledge level of Agroforestry and wasteland reclamation, 2. Extent (%
adoption ) of Sabai grass based Agroforestry, and 3. Production potential of
different components of Sabai grass based agroforestry system: a. Profitability of
the stakeholders, b. Participation level of stakeholders.
The methodology used to conduct the survey are Semi Structured
Interviews (SSI), Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA), Household Interviews
(HHI), Focus group discussion (FSD), Measurements (Quantitative evaluation),
Sabai grass production yield/ha, Value additions- appreciation of different stages,
Yield estimation (per ha basis), Growth trend and tree yield (volume), Fodder
yield (fresh weight), Fire wood yield (wt.).
Data collected with the help of a structured interview schedule and
questionnaires were tabulated and analyzed in the light of objectives to assess the
final results. The observations and results are categories under the sub heads i.e.
1. Social characteristic of the respondents, 2. General awareness of the
respondents with respect to Sabai grass based agroforestry activities, and 3.
Economic character and people’s participation in Sabai grass based agroforestry
activities.
II
From data analysis it is found that socio economic status of the
respondents are increased with respect to previous years. Agriculture is the
primary occupation among all the respondents in all the study villages. The area
under agriculture is more than the area under Sabai grass based agroforestry. The
percentage of Agriculture land (non irrigated) and Sabai grass based agroforestry
(non irrigated) is more in the study area. In Dighi village, the percentage of
agriculture, forestry, Sabai grass and others were 37.32%, 8.56%, 13.46% and
38.26% respectively, in Pittidih village 43.10%, 8.37%, 13.70% and 34.83%
respectively and in Gopalpur village 39.68%, 10.19%, 10.81% and 39.32%
respectively.
The percentage knowledge level about wasteland reclamation (71.67%) is
maximum followed by impact of agroforestry & wasteland (70.00%). Regarding
knowledge in agroforestry and species, the respondents have optimum
knowledge. The respondents have very little knowledge in respect to spacing
(8.33%), type of agroforestry (5.67%) and orientation of agroforestry (3.00%).
The sale of green sabai grass is more whereas no one sells the dry
products of sabai grass. Very few respondents are sale value added products of
sabai grass. The change in socio economic status with respect to sabai grass
agroforestry during last five years is predicted that there are no changes with
respect to land and employments but the income of the respondent is increased
whereas other aspect such as cattle, education and house, which is increased very
little.
III
Besides agricultural labourer, they have also other business such as caste
based occupations, own business, agroforestry based business, and services. The
percentage of fodder cut, fodder leaves, fuel wood, fruits, and Sabai grass was
almost equal in all the villages except sabai grass. There is no timber production
in the study area.
The economics with respect to sabai grass based agroforestry production
shows that the percentage of agriculture is more than the percentage of sabai
grass followed by fuel and fodder. Similarly the percentage profit from sabai
grass based agroforestry production shows that profit from agriculture is more
than the sabai grass followed by fuel and fodder.
From data analysis it is found that socio economic status of the
respondents are increased with respect to previous years. The migration pattern of
respondents are decreases and also production per ha. of the land increases. The
involvements of farmer in the agriculture are increased. They are harvested more
than one crop in a year. Among the respondents the knowledge level of
agroforestry and wasteland reclamation is increased. By using sabai grass based
agroforestry, the production potential of agricultural crops are increased.
Social factors on local communities, employment and income generation,
technical assistance, improvement of quality of life, poverty and human health,
equity, provision of food, fibre, shelter and fuels is increased with respect to
previous years. Economic benefits to families, increased in productions,
establishment of plantations of species with commercial value, increased value of
small and medium size land properties is increased.
IV
Environmentally effect such as recovery of eroded or degraded soils;
changes in water resources; changes in micro-climate; role of native forest species
or species adapted to local conditions; impacts on agroforestry practices. Changes
in biological diversity, including increased biomass; species displacement such as
conversion of indigenous grasslands to a tree plantation; alterations to habitats
and biological diversity etc. increased.
Description
Study of sabai grass based agroforestry for wasteland reclamation in SPWD sponsored project of Sevabrata in Purulia (West Bengal)
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