Productivity and Carbon Storage in Prevailing Agroforestry Systems in Jogindernagar Tehsil of Mandi District (HP)
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Date
2023-01-05
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College of Horticulture and Forestry Neri, Hamirpur (H.P.)
Abstract
The study entitled “Productivity and Carbon Storage in Prevailing Agroforestry Systems in
Jogindernagar Tehsil of Mandi District (HP)” was conducted during the year 2021-2022 with the aim to
identify existing agroforestry systems, estimation of their biological yield and carbon storage potential and
bio-economic returns. The study site was selected by multistage random sampling technique in which ten-
gram panchayats were chosen for survey (viz., Chauntra, Sainthal, Pipli, Passal, Sagnehr, JimJima, Bihun,
Balh, Harabagh, Galu). From each selected panchayat as per classification of Government of Himachal
Pradesh, farmers were divided into three different categories on the basis of their land holdings i.e. marginal
(<1 ha), small (1-2 ha) and medium (2-5ha) and a random sample of four farmers from each category was
taken as ultimate unit of study. Forty farmers were falling in each category of farmers. The data was collected
through pre-tested schedule for the purpose of personal interviews with the head of each household in the
study area. Socio- economic status of farmers has been evaluated taking into account their family structure,
educational status, status of off-farm employment, livestock status and land holding size. The average family
size of sampled households was 5.59 individuals per family and literacy rate was recorded as 91.07 per cent
which was higher than the overall literacy rate (82.80%) of Himachal Pradesh. The study revealed that six
agroforestry systems were identified among different categories of farmers namely: Agrisilviculture (AS),
Agrisilvihorticulture (ASH), Agrihorticulture (AH), Agrisilvipastoral (ASP), Pastoralsilviculture (PS) and
Pastoralhorticulture (PH). Rice, maize, soyabean, tomato, brinjal, etc. were crops grown during kharif season
and wheat, cauliflower, peas, mustard, onion, potato, etc. were grown during rabi season in the Jogindernagar
Tehsil. From the above study it was concluded that among identified agroforestry systems, most predominant
were agrisilviculture (AS) and agrisilvihorticulture (ASH) systems in the study area. The maximum total
biomass production and total carbon storage potential among interaction between farmers category and
agroforestry systems were recorded in ASH system as (23.42 t/ha) and (10.54 t/ha), respectively. The higher
net returns (Rs 99,405/ha/yr) were observed in ASH system. Maximum benefit : cost ratio as 2.83 was
recorded under AH system. Hence the study represents the clear picture of biomass, carbon and economic
analysis of existing agroforestry system which will help the local peoples to fulfil their basic needs and the
researchers to gain the benefit from the agroforestry.