Socio-economic Analysis Based on Energy Input and Output of Mixed Cropping Systems of Bhabhar Region (Shiwalik Range of Kumaun Himalaya, India)

Abstract

In the present study, the status of energy efficiency and economy of existing agroecosystems in the Shiwalik range of Kumaun Himalaya were assessed. A large number of plant species were cultivated/maintained by the local inhabitants to conserve the diversity in agroecosystems. Agriculture was the main source of economy of the villagers. The agroforestry system provides many ecological services to enhance the socio-economic condition of the farmers. In addition, home garden is another land use system, which is very common in the area. All collected data from agricultural (inputs and outputs) were calculated and converted to energy values by using constants. In the present study, average consumption of annual energy inputs in agroforestry system (103646 MJ/ha) was approximately three times more as compared to home gardens (43056 MJ/ha). Uses of chemical fertilizers and pesticides increased the inputs manifolds. Average annual energy outputs obtained from agroforestry system (434116 MJ/ha) which was seven times more to the home gardens (57008 MJ/ha). Energy output/input ratio in agroforestry varied from 2.26 to 9.06 while in home gardens range speckled between 1.20 and 1.47. In terms of monetary budget, annual return from agroforestry and home garden systems were ₹ 95077/ha and 4201/ha, respectively. From the present study, it can be concluded that agroecosystems provides the good monetary benefits and source of employment to the villagers. The possible benefits of agriculture are raising income and thus improving status of livelihoods in Bhabhar region of Kumaun Himalaya.

Energy and monetary efficiencies at the different altitudinal agroecosystems in central Himalaya, India

“…used. Consumption of human and bullock labor in present study were comparable to energetic values reported by several workers for different agroecosystems of the region ( Bisht et al., 2021 ; Padalia et al., 2018 ). The quantities of seed inputs recorded in our study were relatively highest in high altitude farms.…”

“…The total input energy recorded in present study were in line with the reported range from 556000-920000 MJ ha −1 yr −1 by Bagwari and Todaria (2011) to 1921000–3433000 MJ ha −1 by Kumar (2011) along the altitudinal gradient of Central Himalaya. The energy input values were also comparable to input values reported by similar studies on different land use systems of the region ( Bisht et al., 2021 ; Padalia et al., 2018 ; Parihaar et al., 2015 ).…”

Effects of tree fostering on soil health and microbial biomass under different land use systems in the Central Himalayas

“…Agroforestry plays the most important role in increasing agricultural productivity by nutrient recycling, improving soil fertility, increasing the percentage of the soil nutrient, reducing soil erosion, and enhancing farm income than does conventional crop production (S. S. Bargali et al, ). Furthermore, it has promising potentials for reducing deforestation while increasing food, fodder, and fuel wood production (Padalia et al, ). Agroforestry can be a better climate change mitigation option than ocean, and other terrestrial option, because of the secondary environmental benefits such as food security and secured land tenure, increasing farm income and restoring and maintaining watershed hydrology and soil conservation (Kürsten & Burschel, ).…”

“…The different land use systems of the Kumaun Himalaya vary enormously in their structural complexity and species diversity, their productive and protective attributes, and their socioeconomic dimensions. In the Kumaun Himalayan region, a total of six land use systems were commonly practiced (Padalia, Bargali, Bargali, & Parihaar, ; Parihaar, ), namely, (a) sole cropping system (herbaceous crop only); (b) agri‐horticulture systems (herbaceous crops + fruit trees); (c) agri‐silviculture system (herbaceous crops + fuel/fodder/timber trees); (d) agri‐horti‐silviculture system (herbaceous crops + fruit trees + fuel/fodder/timber trees); (e) agri‐silvi‐pastoral system (grasses + trees + shrubs); and (f) home garden (HG; vegetable crops + fuel or fodder trees + multipurpose tree + ornamental plants + shrubs).…”

Research Progress on Changes in Land Use and Land Cover in the Western Himalayas (India) and Effects on Ecosystem Services

“…This in turn induces high soil loss, runoff, and input cost along with decreased farm productivity of introduced crop varieties with each passing years of cultivation [90][91][92][93][94]. Traditional agroforestry ecosystems, which are the source of many useful ESS [95], are being abandoned due to the outmigration of the male population, resulting in demographic changes and the conversion of agricultural land into permanent fallow [96]. Although many studies have discussed the state and dynamics of LULC change and their causes in western Himalayan region, little attention was given to address the impacts of such changes on various ecosystem services flowing out of this region.…”