Eucalyptus-based agroforestry system under semi-arid condition in north-western India: An economic analysis

The compact block with smaller spacing currently used for Eucalyptus plantations in the Northern India does not permit economical intercropping from succeeding year. This discourages the small landholders who need regular income from taking up Eucalyptus plantations and benefiting from the expanding market for pulpwood and plywood. Therefore, Eucalyptus planted in three spacing geometry of compact block (3m×3m), wider (6m^-1.5m) and paired row (17m*1mx1m) was compared with sole Eucalyptus (3m×3m) and sole agriculture (without tree) cropping system at a constant density of 1111 trees ha⁻¹. In experiment, Sesbania aculeata (kharif) and Hordeum vulgare (rabi) were intercropped in three spacing geometry of Eucalyptus (till the harvesting of trees) and also compared with mono cropping up to eight years of plantation. Yield of agricultural crops was significantly reduced in different spacing geometry over control and reduced from 15 percent in second year and more than 60 percent in eighth year of plantation. The results showed that 17m×1mx1m spacing of Eucalyptus registered the highest NPV @ 12 percent discounting of INR 185336 followed by spacing of 6m×1.5m (Rs.140975). The B:C ratio of these agroforestry system was recorded maximum in wider spacing (17m×1mx1m) and ranging from 1:1.57 and followed by 1:1.44 (6m^-1.5m), 1:1.25 (sole Eucalyptus) and 1:1.2 (sole agricultural crops). The all the agroforestry system had an IRR ranging from 15 to 32 percent. Therefore, on the basis of economic analysis, the study conclude that the Eucalyptus based agroforestry intercropped with S. aculeata and H. vulgare cropping system performed most efficient in 17m×1mx1m as compared to other Eucalyptus spacing and sole cropping of Eucalyptus and crops.