Forest Research: Open Access
Open Access

Abstract

Economic Evaluation of Different Land Use Systems in North Western Region of Punjab, India

Sangeet Rani, Arunachalam Rajasekaran, Dinesh Kumar Benbi and Sanjeev Kumar Chauhan

The present study is the outcome of socio-economic diagnosis of traditional as well as commercial agroforestry practices followed by farmers in north western region of Punjab state, India. Tree species like P. deltoides, E. tereticornis and T. grandis are the main species of commercial agroforestry system, whereas, agricultural crops are grown traditionally. Simultaneously economics of P. pyrifolia based orchid was also included for evaluation. Results showed that tree based land use systems are economically viable and more profitable than pure agricultural crops. Highest B:C ratio was recorded in pure E. tereticornis plantations (3.30) after 5 years. Simultaneously higher B:C ratio (2.02) was recorded in P. deltoides+T. aestivum crop based land use system followed by T. grandis plantations (2.06), T. aestivum+O. sativa (1.89), T. aestivum+P. glaucum+fruit crop (1.72), B. napus+fruit crop (1.56) and B. napus+O. sativa (1.27) during period of study. E. tereticornis and P. deltoids based land use systems are economically viable and more profitable than other land use systems in this study area of Punjab. These land-use systems have also provided additional revenue and generated on farm employment opportunities.