TITLE:
Scientific Basis of Agroforestry Homegardens in Matara District, Sri Lanka: Present Status and Improvement Needs
AUTHORS:
Mangala De Zoysa
KEYWORDS:
Homegarden Composition, Plants Selection, Health-Care Management, Resources Use, Agroforestry Policy
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Forestry,
Vol.12 No.1,
January
7,
2022
ABSTRACT: High diversity of species in agroforestry
homegardens play main agro-ecological roles
in complex and sustainable land use systems. Efforts are being made in valuing and protecting the age-old practices of
agroforestry on scientific basis in homegardens. This study attempted to
analyse the scientific basis of households’ practices and to develop strategies for the promotion of sustainable
agroforestry homegardens in Matara district of Sri Lanka. Selected households were interviewed measuring their concern using 5-point
Likert scale, and analysed the qualitative data using non-parametric
statistics. The study revealed that scientific basis of household practices in
agroforestry homegardens are moderate in selection of appropriate trees and
plants, and management of trees and plant
health care. Households pay little concern on scientific basis in planning and site placement, land preparation and establishment of trees/crops, and
implementing proper cultural practices. There is no significant correlation
between scientific basis of practices in agroforestry in relation with size of
homegardens, educational level of households, and across the category of their
occupations. Resources to use scientific knowledge in practice, and opportunity
to improve scientific skills have moderate correlation significantly while availability
of scientific information and access to scientific knowledge have significant
but low correlation as applying knowledge on scientific basis. The interest to
acquire scientific knowledge, and sufficient time to improve scientific
knowledge, and other reasons have no significant correlation with scientific
basis of household practices. Carefully planned interventions including policy
adjustments and effective extension programs for learning and experimenting together
with supportive programs would enhance scientific basis of household practices
for agroforestry in homegardens.