Vol. 11, Special Issue 9 (2022)

Author(s):
Firoz Ahmad, MS Malik and S Chattopadhyay

Abstract:
Agroforestry has been practiced for a long time in Jharkhand. Bakain (Melia azedarach L., F: Meliaceae) is identified as a potential agroforestry tree species whose leaves are looped for highly nutritive fodder. In the present investigation, the cost-benefit was analyzed in Bakain based agroforestry system with four fodder crops viz., Stylo, Charabadam, Brachiaria, and NB Hybride, (together abbreviated as SCBN) during 2019-20 and 2020-21. Cost-Benefit Analysis for Agroforestry Systems in Jharkhand were computed with the following parameters; Cost of cultivation (Rs. ha^-1), Gross return (Rs. ha^-1), Net return (Rs. ha^-1) and Benefit Cost Ratio (BCR). Among all the combinations, Bakain + Stylo recorded highest gross return (Rs ha^-1 1,86,705) and maximum B:C ratio (2.59) which were significantly superior over all other treatments. It has been found that Bakain + stylo intercropping in agroforestry system can be a better and economically viable combination among all intercrops for the farmers of Jharkhand. However, even with such economic benefits, the adaptation of Bakain based agroforestry model in Jharkhand is still in its incipient stage, which need to be explored. Collaboration of farmers, researchers and local government in developing such an economically viable agroforestry model is need of the hour for sustained production and environmental benefits.