| Author | Khan, Abu Sadat Moniruzzaman |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.NR-05-07 |
| Subject(s) | Agroforestry systems--Bangladesh
|
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the
degree of Master of Science, School of Environment, Resource and Development |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Thesis ; no. NR-05-07 |
| Abstract | The present research aims to explore the indigenous agroforestry system practiced by the Bawm indigenous community in Bandarban district, Chittagong Hill Tracts in Bangladesh. One Bawm village has been identified for detailed study. Further attempt has been made to analyze and assess the indigenous agroforestry components and activities, historical trends and adoption process, livelihood pattern and economic condition and strengths and weaknesses of the current agroforestry systems and recommend a strategy to formulate integrated agroforestry model as a sustainable livelihood of the Bawm community. For generating necessary data, a field survey was carried out in the one Bawm village in Bandarban District, CHT, Bangladesh. This study finds that, the main indigenous farming systems are: jhum or swidden cultivation, bagan agroforestry, homegarden and reserve bon. However, all farming systems are centered by jhum cultivation. Jhum is an integral part of the Bawm community. Bagan agroforestry is the unique farming system in CHT which is found in the study area. The main characteristic of the bagan system is local people always integrate agricultural crops with tree to get more benefits from one unit of land and get benefit till 30 years. Homegarden is also rich in species diversity. Livestock also integrated with this system. In the study area on-farm livelihood includes different agroforestry production while off-farm includes hunting, weaving and handicrafts, small business and wage labor. Crops harvested from jhum farm and homegarden are used for household consumption as well commercial purposes. Bawm community is more concerned about rice because it is their staple food. Bawm community uses the bagan products for commercial purposes only. In Bethal para, the highest proportion of households (50%) earns annually 30,001Tk - 60,000 Tk. Bagan products are major sources of income in the study area where 90% of on-farm income comes form Bagan agroforestry system. The median HH income from the bagan is 48,950 Tk. However, average annual family earnings in study area are 29,924 Tk. The jhum farms are more concentrated in the high altitude area. Local people maintain a long rotational jhum cycle in the bagan area. Therefore, a management plan would necessary to maintain a proper jhum cycle which is more production and environmentally sound. For better production they can be introduced livestock in there agroforestry farm with proper management. Village level landuse plan is necessary. Local government can take initiative to prepare this type of plan of the indigenous community. |
| Year | 2005 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Thesis ; no. NR-05-07 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Development and Sustainability (DDS) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Natural Resources Management (NRM) |
| Chairperson(s) | Webb, Edward L.; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Schmidt-Vogt, Dietrich ;Shivakoti, Ganesh P. ;Nishat, Ainun ; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | The Royal Netherlands Government ; |
| Degree | Thesis (M.Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2005 |