Title : Agroforestry and food security
Abstract:
Agroforestry practices, a land use system involving the integration of trees and agricultural crops together in a given space and time, is increasingly becoming important for securing and reducing the effect of climate change. Agroforestry plays a crucial role in securing various types of food products but study on this aspect was lacking. A study carried out in the Madesh Province of Nepal (in the year 2023) showed that farmers were practicing various models of agroforestry to obtain different types of food products of their immediate needs. Seven major agroforestry systems (Agri-silviculture, Agri-silvo-hoticulture Silvo-fishery, Home- gardens, Alley cropping, Woodlot and Silvo-pastoral) including Silvi-MAP (planting of Medicinal and Aromatic plants under tree species) were identified. These systems and practices were providing farmers a variety of food stuff (Pine-apple, Sugarcane, Paddy, Maize, Ginger, Turmeric, Chilli, Tomato, Potato, Yam, Sweet potato, Onion, Garlic, Cauliflower, Cabbage, Sponge gourd, Bitter gourd, Beans, Soyabean, Taro or Eddoe); fruits (Jackfruit, papaya and banana, mango, citrus); various kind of fishes, along with tree products. Grass species (Cenchrus purpureu and Thysanolaena,) having fodder and soil erosion controlling properties are grown on farmland terrace risers. Cymbopogon species having Medicinal and Aromatic properties are grown underneath tree species. Tectona grandis, Dalbergia sissoo, and Eucalyptus spp were the major tree species used in inter-cropping. Farmers were obtaining both tree and food products in a sustained way. The study has shown that this province offers various types of opportunities for farmers in enhancing agroforestry practices although there are some challenges in undertaking them. Of the various forms of opportunities, one is the utilizing reclaimed river bed for growing indigenous and exotic food crops. Enabling policy frameworks already exists in the province. This paper identifies those challenges in detail, and recommends the additional inputs required for sustaining the agroforestry practice and in turn, helping securing food stuff in this province.
Key words: Agroforestry systems, Agroforestry practices, Food security, Madesh Province. Nepal.
