Year: 2026 | Month: March | Volume 19 | Issue 1
Economic Viability of Agrisilviculture and Agrihortisilviculture Systems for Rabi Crops in Garhwal Himalayas
Saumya Rawat
Pradeep Kumar* and Shataxi Sharma
DOI:10.30954/0974-1712.01.2026.6
Abstract:
Agroforestry systems play a crucial role in enhancing farm income and sustainability in hill regions. The present study evaluated the economic viability of agrisilviculture (AS) and agrihortisilviculture (AHS) systems for selected rabi and vegetable crops in the Garhwal Himalayas, Uttarakhand. Cost-return analysis was conducted using data on input costs and market-based returns from grain, vegetable produce, and crop residues. Economic indicators such as gross return, net return, and benefit-cost (B:C) ratio were used to assess system performance. Results revealed considerable variation among crops and systems. Under AS, lentil and vegetable-based models exhibited higher net returns and B:C ratios compared to wheat and barley. Vegetable crops, particularly garlic and pea, recorded superior economic performance in both AS and AHS systems. In AHS, integration of horticultural species influenced crop profitability, with vegetable-based models showing higher economic returns than rabi cereals. Overall, vegetable-based agroforestry models were moswre economically viable than cereal-based systems, highlighting their potential for income enhancement in hill agroecosystems. The study underscores the importance of crop selection and system design for improving farm profitability in Himalayan agroforestry systems.
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