ASSESSMENT OF PARTICIPATORY AGRO FORESTRY INTERVENTIONS IN INTEGRATED WATERSHED MANAGEMENT

Abstract

A field study was carried out from march 1997 to December 1997 using direct. fieldmeasurements and a questionnaire survey to assess Forest Department's and sharedControl of Natural Resources (SCaR) Project's agrolorcstry inputs and 10 examine socialand institutional aspects concerned in planning and implementing agrotorestry inputs., Data were collected for two agrolorcstry samples and one control where only SCaR madesome interventions

Benefit - cost streams of farmers for each of different items, for unit of land agroforcstryplot and NPV of that unit arc evaluated hy considering timber value of teak and incomeearned by inter - cropping. Survival rate of teak plantation established both in 1995 and1996 years was between 97(!o - 9X%.

Individual interviews were carried out to consider social and institutional aspects such asfarmer - farmer interactions, farmer officer interactions. problems arisen in co-ordinationof relevant line agencies. conflicts and conflict resolution between officers and differentinstitutions. altitudinal change of fanners etc.

Other Institutions involved are: Department of Agriculture, Divisional Secretary Office.Government Cooperative shops, Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Scienceand Coconut Cultivation Board.

Major reasons for arising of conflicts arc: knowledge and attitudes of Officers of variousinstitutions arc different and objectives of various institutions arc different.

Many conflicts had been arisen in relation to distribution of incentives: provided by theParticipatory Forestry Project. (PFP)

Project's benefits included: Reduction of illicit felling. increased knowledge of farmers onconservation farming and environment conservation. significant increase in NPV andacceptable B: C ratio. increased market links for agroforestry produce etc.