Silvo-Agri-pastoral-husbandry integrated agroforestry model for sustainable low-carbon milk, wood, fodder and sugarcane production in Terai plains of North India: Farmers’ perspectives.
Authors:
Nikki Pilania Chaudhary (Founder Mango Dairies, MSc. Business Economics and Finance, University of Surrey – U.K.); Email – mangodairies@gmail.com
Gaurav Chaudhary (Agroforestry Farmer, MA Economics, Delhi School of Economics, University of Delhi); Email – gaurav.gc@gmail.com
R.C. Dhiman (Ex- WIMCO); Email – dhimanramesh@yahoo.com
Abstract:
Background and objectives: Poplar-based Agroforestry is well established in the Indo-Gangetic plains of North-western states where its practice is generating remunerative returns to growers. Its gradual expansion in the region is helping in diversification of ecologically insensitive and unsustainable Paddy-Wheat cropping pattern. Inclusion of additional ingredients in agroforestry often adds in its economic and ecological footprints.
Methods: We have additionally integrated livestock and fodder production components with poplar leading to improved economic, ecological and carbon footprints. This holistic and integrated tree-crop-fodder-livestock model also has significant share of circular economy wherein some of the ingredients of integrated components are recycled in the system for making it economically more dynamic. Our model also has innovation of selectively integrating fodder crops after 2-year sugarcane production for sustaining livestock production.
Results and Discussion: Our Silvo-Agri-pastoral-husbandry model maintains the economic and agronomical benefits of the traditional Poplar + Sugarcane (First 2 years) +Wheat (after 2 years) model and further added value by including select fodder crops namely Napier grass, Berseem, Oats and Rye grass after 2nd year of sugarcane production with trees for rearing buffaloes. A manure pond for collecting dung slurry and its recycling in agroforestry production system has added value in term of improved productivity of integrated trees and crops. The returns from Poplar tree-crop-livestock integration in circular approach (Poplar trees + Sugarcane + Napier + winter fodders + Buffaloes) have significantly improved the returns compared to the traditional Poplar-based agroforestry.
Conclusions and implications: Poplar based Silvo-Agri-pastoral-husbandry model i.e. Tree-crop-pasture- animal combination is successfully replicated among the farmers of the locality. This model has amazing potential to make dairy carbon neutral activity and further increase farmer’s incomes.to
