Economic Assessment of Agroforestry Systems in Saharanpur District of Western Uttar Pradesh

Abstract

Agroforestry has emerged as a sustainable land-use option for enhancing farm income while augmenting domestic wood supply. The present study evaluated the economic viability of poplar-based agroforestry systems in Saharanpur district of Western Uttar Pradesh, focusing on boundary and block plantations integrated with wheat and paddy crops. The study covered five tehsils and involved data collection from 150 agroforestry farms using stratified random sampling. Economic analysis was conducted over a six-year rotation using net present value (NPV) and benefit-cost ratio (BCR) at a 10% discount rate. Results indicated widespread adoption of agroforestry dominated by Populus deltoides (G-48). Poplar-based boundary plantation with wheat and paddy proved more profitable than block plantation, generating a net return of `19.23 lakh ha-1, an NPV of `12.45 lakh ha-1, and a BCR of 3.15:1, compared to a BCR of 2.89:1 under block plantation. The study concludes that boundary plantation of poplar with wheat and paddy is the most economically viable system in the district. Besides improving farm profitability, this system contributes significantly to meeting industrial wood demand and can be replicated in regions with similar agro-climatic and topographical conditions across the Indo-Gangetic Plains.