Economic analysis and feasibility of pastoral agroforestry systems in north-western Himalayas
Keywords:
Altitudinal zone, Benefit-cost ratio, Net return, Pastoral agroforestryAbstract
A study on economic feasibility of pastoral agroforestry systems in north-western Himalayas was carried out in different altitudinal zone in Sirmaur district of Himachal Pradesh. Three altitudinal zones were considered for the study viz. <1000 m (Z1 ), 1000-2000 m (Z2 ) and >2000 m (Z3 ) above msl. In the study area, four pastoral agroforestry systems i.e. agri-silvi-pasture (ASP), silvi-pastoral (SP), pastoral-silviculture (PS) and pastoral-silvi-horticulture (PSH) were identified. In this study gross return, total expenses, net profit and benefit cost ratio were estimated. Gross and net return were maximum (Rs. 170290 and Rs. 82675 ha-1 yr-1) in ASP system, on the other hand gross and net return of pastoral agroforestry systems among three farmers category was observed to be maximum in marginal farmers (Rs. 64241 and Rs. 30896 ha-1 yr-1). Benefit-cost ratio was maximum (2.13) in the pastoral-silvi-horti (PSH) systems. It was concluded that ASP system, which included different components in the farming systems, had higher gross as well as net return in the study area.