NDLI: The enigma of tropical homegardens

Content Provider	Springer Nature Link
Author	Kumar, B.M. Nair, P.K.R.
Copyright Year	2004
Abstract	Tropical homegardens, one of the oldest forms of managed land-use systems, are considered to be an epitome of sustainability. Although these multispecies production systems have fascinated many and provided sustenance to millions, they have received relatively little scientific attention. The objective of this review is to summarize the current state of knowledge on homegardens with a view to using it as a basis for improving the homegardens as well as similar agroforestry systems. Description and inventory of local systems dominated the ‘research’ efforts on homegardens during the past 25 or more years. The main attributes that have been identified as contributing to the sustainability of these systems are biophysical advantages such as efficient nutrient cycling offered by multispecies composition, conservation of bio-cultural diversity, product diversification as well as nonmarket values of products and services, and social and cultural values including the opportunity for gender equality in managing the systems. With increasing emphasis on industrial models of agricultural development, fragmentation of land holdings due to demographic pressures, and, to some extent, the neglect – or, lack of appreciation – of traditional values, questions have been raised about the future of homegardens, but such concerns seem to be unfounded. Quite to the contrary, it is increasingly being recognized that understanding the scientific principles of these multispecies systems will have much to offer in the development of sustainable agroecosystems. Research on economic valuation of the tangible as well as intangible products and services, principles and mechanisms of resource sharing in mixed plant communities, and realistic valuation and appreciation of hitherto unrecognised benefits such as carbon sequestration will provide a sound basis for formulating appropriate policies for better realization and exploitation of the benefits of homegardens.
Starting Page	135
Ending Page	152
Page Count	18
File Format	PDF
ISSN	01674366
Journal	Agroforestry Systems
Volume Number	61
Issue Number	1-3
e-ISSN	15729680
Language	English
Publisher	Kluwer Academic Publishers
Publisher Date	2004-01-01
Publisher Place	Dordrecht
Access Restriction	One Nation One Subscription (ONOS)
Subject Keyword	Agriculture Forestry
Content Type	Text
Resource Type	Article
Subject	Forestry Agronomy and Crop Science

Sl.	Authority	Responsibilities	Communication Details
1	Ministry of Education (GoI), Department of Higher Education	Sanctioning Authority	https://www.education.gov.in/ict-initiatives
2	Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur	Host Institute of the Project: The host institute of the project is responsible for providing infrastructure support and hosting the project	https://www.iitkgp.ac.in
3	National Digital Library of India Office, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur	The administrative and infrastructural headquarters of the project	Dr. B. Sutradhar bsutra@ndl.gov.in
4	Project PI / Joint PI	Principal Investigator and Joint Principal Investigators of the project	Dr. B. Sutradhar bsutra@ndl.gov.in Prof. Saswat Chakrabarti will be added soon
5	Website/Portal (Helpdesk)	Queries regarding NDLI and its services	support@ndl.gov.in
6	Contents and Copyright Issues	Queries related to content curation and copyright issues	content@ndl.gov.in
7	National Digital Library of India Club (NDLI Club)	Queries related to NDLI Club formation, support, user awareness program, seminar/symposium, collaboration, social media, promotion, and outreach	clubsupport@ndl.gov.in
8	Digital Preservation Centre (DPC)	Assistance with digitizing and archiving copyright-free printed books	dpc@ndl.gov.in
9	IDR Setup or Support	Queries related to establishment and support of Institutional Digital Repository (IDR) and IDR workshops	idr@ndl.gov.in

Do tropical homegardens elude science, or is it the other way around?

Crop diversity and classification of homegardens in Central Sulawesi, Indonesia

Fuelwood characteristics of tree species in homegardens of Kerala, India

Carbon, water and nutrient flux in Maya homegardens in the Yucatán peninsula of México

Interdisciplinary analysis of homegardens in Nicaragua: micro- zonation, plant use and socioeconomic importance

Plant species of traditional Mayan homegardens of Mexico as analogs for multistrata agroforests

Plant species diversity of homegardens of Cuba and its significance for household food supply

Tree domestication in tropical agroforestry

Litter production and decomposition in the forested areas of traditional homegardens: a case study from Barak Valley, Assam, northeast India

The enigma of tropical homegardens

Similar Documents

Do tropical homegardens elude science, or is it the other way around?

Crop diversity and classification of homegardens in Central Sulawesi, Indonesia

Fuelwood characteristics of tree species in homegardens of Kerala, India

Carbon, water and nutrient flux in Maya homegardens in the Yucatán peninsula of México

Interdisciplinary analysis of homegardens in Nicaragua: micro- zonation, plant use and socioeconomic importance

Plant species of traditional Mayan homegardens of Mexico as analogs for multistrata agroforests

Plant species diversity of homegardens of Cuba and its significance for household food supply

Tree domestication in tropical agroforestry

Litter production and decomposition in the forested areas of traditional homegardens: a case study from Barak Valley, Assam, northeast India

The enigma of tropical homegardens