Dear All,
Good day!
I am providing comments below in my personal capacity specifically w.r.t. agroforestry:
In general, the draft has covered majority of the things. However, the following points may also be added.
Agroforestry barriers for controlling run-off
Agroforestry barriers are quite effective in controlling run-off their by recharge of ground water by increasing residency period of rainwater on undulating topography. Shifting the management of trees to contour hedgerows can minimize reduction in crop yield for accommodating trees in cultivated land. In some cases, the yield reduction was found to be fully compensated by the tree biomass (Dey and Sikka, 2010).
Polythene-lined small rainwater harvesting structure for establishment of agroforestry in upland
Studies conducted at Horticulture and Agroforestry Research Programme, Plandu, Ranchi by our team have shown that small rainwater harvesting (SRH) structure can be effectively used for establishment of agroforestry in upland which comprises more than 70 per cent area in Chotanagpur plateau region (Dey et al. 2003). Although on an average 120 cm rainfall is received in Chotanagpur plateau, water is the single most important constraint in establishment of agroforestry. In the process, each SRH structure with 4.5 m3 capacity (3.0 m length, 1.5 m breadth and 1.0 m depth) has been constructed for harvesting of rainwater before onset of monsoon. Inner sides of the SRH structure were lined with 200 µ black polythene sheet. The excavated soil was used to make a small bund covering the black polythene sheet. Rest of the soils was used to make bunds surrounding the group of 12 budded/grafted trees or MPTs (luxuriant growth of gamhar is seen in picture beside SRH). Clear rainwater is allowed to store in the SRH structure during monsoon months. Finally in the month of October, the SRH structure was covered with thatch made of straw/hogla. At fortnightly interval, neem/karanj oil is pored in the Chotanagpur plateau region to reduce evaporation (Dey and Sarkar, 2011).
The SRH structure could be constructed at Rs. 500, which could be used for three years. It was observed that these SRH structures were helpful in providing lifesaving irrigation for establishment of orchard under Chotanagpur plateau region (Fig. 5). One SRH is sufficient for establishment of 12 saplings. Earlier jalkund constructed for collecting rainwater before the onset of monsoon (Dey, 2003) were found helpful in providing life saving irrigation for establishment of horticulture and agroforestry under Chotanagpur plateau region.
Reference
Dey, P. (2003) Agro-forestry-Theory and Practice. In: Proc. Annual Workshop on Natural Resource Management (Asis Majumder ed.), published by Regional Centre- National Afforestation and Eco-development Board (Ministry of Environment & Forest, Govt. of India), pp. 22-24.
Dey, P., Kumar, S. and Sikka, A.K. (2003) Management of upland for horticulture development in Jharkhand. Chotanagpur Hort. 20 (1-4): 4-5.
Dey, P. and Sarkar, A.K. (2011) Revisiting indigenous farming knowledge of Jharkhand (India) for conservation of natural resources and combating Climate change. Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge, 10(1): 71-79.
Dey, P. and Sikka, A.K. (2010) Water Conservation through Rainwater Harvesting. The IUP Journal of Soil and Water Sciences, 3(1):71.
Dr. Pradip Dey