Testing 1

Image by Welcome to All ! ツ from Pixabay 

A baseline study of Kandyan Forest Gardens of Sri Lanka: Structure, composition and utilization (Ajith H. Perera1, R.M.Neville Rajapakse Dept. of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka Available online 25 June 2003)

Kandyan Forest Gardens (KFGs) are an ancient agroforestry system popular in the wet hills and lowlands of Sri Lanka. We studied 50 units of KFGs taken randomly from the Central Province of Sri Lanka, to extract basic quantitative information and typify this land use practice.

A typical KFG is at least one generation old, small (0.1–0.4 ha), and very rich in plant species (46 species per unit). It is also tree-based (23 species, 500–1500 trees per unit), and resemble undisturbed natural forest in physiognomy (four canopy layers, > 70% canopy cover, non-regular horizontal distribution). We identified 12 species which are the ‘base’ species assemblage in KFGs. Low-intensity management does not include ‘improved’ plant varieties, agro-chemicals or high inputs. But the cash income is high, even without including indirect sources (e.g., food, spices, medicine, construction and fuel wood) indicating self-sustenance in the long term. Many other aspects of composition and utilization are also quantified in detail.

We feel strongly that any ‘improvements’ to KFGs must be considered within the existing framework of physiognomy, use and management. This is because all benefits (ecological, economical and social) commonly linked to KFGs appear to depend on the unique nature of their physiognomy, utilization and management style.

KANDYAN FOREST GARDEN: AN AGRO-FORESTRY SYSTEM WITH HIGH POTENTIAL FOR LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION (A. N. F. Perera, E. R. K. Perera)

Kandyan Forest Garden (KFG), is a traditional cropping system practiced for centuries.This is considered as the oldest 'agro-foresty'system in Asia. KFG's located in Kandycentered districts with an altitude of 450 - 1050 m, and receiving an annual rainfall of>2400 mm. The topography of the land is sloping with a gradient of 50 - 250. The landholdings vary from 0.4 - 1.75 ha. (mean =0.7 ha), with sufficient idle family labour foralternate income generation opportunities. This perennial, tree-based home garden systemhas high floristic diversity. The perennials are composed of spice, timber, fruit, food,medicinal and shade trees. The density of perennial trees ranged from 60 -340 per ha.(mean = 196), and contains at least 12 different species. The inhabitants are traditionaland conventional farmers with wide experience in farming. Many of them have beenkeeping livestock as a secondary source of income through generations. The climate isconducive for exotic breeds and have high market potential for livestock products. Theperennial trees provide excellent tree fodder. Other than the major perennials, the livefences,supports and shade trees also provide green fodder year round. The annual drybiomass production from perennials range from 2500 -18000 kg, with a crude protein of> 16% and digestibility of >50%. The perennial tree fodder acceptance is high by goatsthan cattle and buffalo. The fodder potential can be further improved by introduction ofsimple agricultural techniques such as 'Sloping Agricultural Land Technology' (SALT).This also improves the soil conservation. This system is stable and highly sustainable.The potentials for income generation using the resources within the system is enormous.The most important factor is that to maintain the stability and the sustainability of thesystem.