TRADITIONAL AGROFORESTRY SYSTEMS IN EASTERN GHATS , ORISSA

Abstract

IN THIS PAPER THE AUTHORS ANALYSE AND DISCUSS THE FINDINGS OF A SURVEY CARRIED OUT ON THE TRADITIONAL AGROFORESTRY SYSTEMS PRACTICED BY THE TRIBAL FARMERS IN SHIFTING CULTIVATION AREAS IN EASTERN GHATS TO IDENTIFY THE ADVANTAGES AND LIMITATIONS , CHARACTERISING AND UNDERSTANDING THE SYSTEMS SO AS TO IDENTIFY THE CONSTRAINTS AND ARRIVE AT STRATEGIES FOR FURTHER RESEARCH EFFORTS. RESOURCES INCLUDING WEATHER, LAND, PEOPLE AND SOCIO ECONOMIC STATUS WERE STUDIED AND PRESENTED. HIGH RAINFALL RICH VEGETATION AND THEIR FIRST HAND KNOWLEDGE BY FARMERS COULD FORM BASIS FOR FURTHER DEVELOPMENT. SHIFTING CULTIVATION, AGRI- HORTICULTURE , AGRI- SILVICULTURE SYSTEMS, VEGETATIVE BARRIERS AND HOME GARDENS ARE THE MAJOR AGROFORESTRY PRACTICES IN THE REGION. SHIFTING CULTIVATION IS IN DEGRADED STATE DUE TO POOR MANAGEMENT , REDUCTION OF THE CYCLE AND ITS EXTENDING TO MORE FRAGILE LANDS.HOME GARDEN WITH AN AVERAGE OF 5 TO 6 TREES/ FAMILY IS AN IMPORTANT SYSTEM. SOME OF THE MULTIPURPOSE TREE SPECIES PREFERRED BY THE FAREMRS IN THE REGION ARE ARTOCARPUS INTEGRIFOLIA , TAMARINDUS INDICA, MANGIFERAINDICA, PONGAMIA PINNATA, DENDROCALAMUS STRICTUS , BOMBAX CEIBA TERMINALIA SPP, PSIDIUM GUAJAVA, CARVOTA URENS . STUDIES OF DIFFERENT AGROFORESTRY SYSTEMS HAVE INDICATED DISTINCT POSSIBILITIES OF THEIR IMPROVEMENT AND INTENSIFICATION . THE CONSTRAINTS , GAPS, AND STRATEGIES HAVE ALSO BEEN DISCUSSED.