Factors affecting tree growing in traditional agroforestry systems in Western Himalaya, India

This study, conducted in Indian Western Himalaya, investigated factors affecting tree growing in traditional agroforestry systems and the perspective of women and forestry staff towards agroforestry. Many physical, socio-economic, forest resource use and perceptional factors influenced tree growing. Forestry related factors were found through logistic regression to be weak determinants of tree growing. Farm size, traditional farm fencing agroclimatic zone and soil fertility were the important physical determinants. Worship of holy trees, importance of tree growing for future generations, mobility of head of household and family literacy were important social determinants. Agricultural production, off-farm income and restriction on grazing on-farm were important economic factors. The key forest resource use factors affecting agroforestry adoption were previous participation in forestry programmes, primary source of fuelwood, extent of natural regeneration and distance travelled to collect fuelwood. The perception about restriction on felling trees from their own farm and attitude towards agroforestry were key perceptional factors. Women’s decision to grow trees was nested within the overall household’s decision whether to grow trees. In tree-grower households, women grew trees to meet their own and overall household interest. In contrast to expectations, women preferred growing trees for fruits over fuelwood. The dilemma of foresters in properly identifying the issues related to on-farm tree growing was due to their conflicting roles as members of the local society on the one hand and foresters on the other. From the perspective the restriction on felling farm trees and selling them in the market was the most important constraint on tree growing. They preferred provision on incentives for tree growing as the most important motivator. Agroforestry training was concentrated on nursery and plantation management but they now recognise they need training in extension and agricultural aspects of agroforestry. Efforts to encourage tree growing should not merely consider on-farm tree growing in isolation of on-farm and off-farm affecting livelihoods of farmers.