Agriculture & Horticulture

Shifting cultivation is now considered a largely unsustainable type of agro-ecosystem because of declines in productivity that come with increasing population pressure, shortening of fallow periods and non-availability of alternative land. Efforts to promote the adoption of agro-forestry to improve shifting cultivation systems have been increasing. Here, we discuss intensification of agro-forestry in shifting cultivation areas of Chittagong hill tracts (CHT), Bangladesh through community participation. Drawing on field data from a collaborative agro-forestry research project implemented in CHT, it describes the use of agro-forestry development, its sustainability, the challenges and opportunities of agro-forestry development. We worked with villagers in three para (hamlets) to develop a participatory approach to the development of agro-forestry options. On the basis of a combination of participants’ preferences and expert opinion, crop combinations were selected and agri-hortisilvicultural agro-forestry systems developed. These participants now cultivate agricultural crops continuously year-on-year on slopes formerly subject to shifting systems. The benefit-cost ratio for agricultural crops was 3:1. Seedlings are growing well and average survival rates at more than 70%. More than 80% participants are now interested in agro-forestry and 54% desire to expand agro-forestry to other areas. For the future development and promotion of agro-forestry by tribal communities in the CHT, conclusions are drawn about modes of collaborative working with local partners.