Homestead forest resources and their role in household economy: A case study in the villages of Gazipur Sadar Upazila of central Bangladesh |
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Authors: | Md Motiur Rahman Yasushi Furukawa Isao Kawata Mohammed Mahabubur Rahman Mahbubul Alam |
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Institution: | (1) Forest Management Laboratory, Faculty of Agriculture, Kochi University, B 200, Monobe, Nankoku-shi, 8502 Kochi, Japan;(2) United Graduate School of Agricultural Sciences, Ehime University, Matsuyama, Japan;(3) Dhaka Imperial College, 28 Mirpur Road, 1205 Dhaka, Bangladesh;(4) Department of Forestry, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, 3114 Sylhet, Bangladesh |
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Abstract: | This study examines the species composition, diversity and economic importance of homestead forests in the household economy
of central Bangladesh. The study documents 57 homestead forest species and their main usage in 90 households across three
villages of Gazipur Sadar Upazila. Homestead forests in Bangladesh comprise a mixture of fruit, timber and bamboo species.
While superficially homestead forestry appears unimportant in rural livelihoods, in reality the contribution is huge, both
as a source of food security and for other necessary household materials. A clear understanding of the physical characteristics
and economic role of homestead forests in rural livelihoods is vital for ensuring sustainable resource management. Income
and production of homestead forestry on a per hectare basis are found to vary widely between landholding size classes. Significant
relationships are identified between forest performance (production and income) and species richness and education level.
Homestead forestry appears to be a potential subsistence income generating land-use practice in the study area. The economic
scope of homestead forestry can be further enhanced provided the appropriate species composition of the forest is achieved
and the education of forest owners is ensured through targeted management and policy interventions. |
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Keywords: | Homestead forests species diversity landholding size class forest production forest income |
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