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<p>Agroforestry offers a climate-resilient strategy for fragile ecosystems such as the char lands of Bangladesh, yet its benefits remain under-documented in these regions. From 2019 to 2023, a field experiment was conducted using a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications across four unions in the Tista River floodplain (Rangpur and Nilphamari districts). Four fruit tree species (mango, guava, malta and litchi) were intercropped with vegetables (cauliflower, taro, kangkong) and compared with sole cropping. Results revealed that agroforestry significantly increased productivity, with tree yields rising by 15–24% and crop yields by up to 46% over monocultures (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.05). Economic analysis showed a benefit–cost ratio (BCR) ranging from 1.91 to 5.37, while land equivalent ratio (LER) values exceeded 2.0, confirming superior profitability and land-use efficiency. Soil quality improved markedly after three cropping cycles, with organic matter increasing by 40–50%, total nitrogen nearly doubling (0.08–0.14% under litchi), and available phosphorus rising by more than 50%. Microbial populations also surged, with total bacteria increasing more than sevenfold and fungal abundance by 30–50%. These findings demonstrate that agroforestry simultaneously enhances crop productivity, farmer income and soil ecosystem health, underscoring its role as a viable land-use strategy for vulnerable char regions. Field-based evidence from this study highlights the need for policy support and scaling up of agroforestry to promote climate-resilient agriculture in South Asia and beyond.</p>

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Agroforestry enhances economic returns, land efficiency and soil health in the char lands of Bangladesh

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年2月24日

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  • Md Shafiqul Bari,
  • Md Shoaibur Rahman,
  • Mahmuod Abubakar Bashir,
  • Rebeka Sultana,
  • Muhammad Madnee,
  • Md Manik Ali

摘要

Agroforestry offers a climate-resilient strategy for fragile ecosystems such as the char lands of Bangladesh, yet its benefits remain under-documented in these regions. From 2019 to 2023, a field experiment was conducted using a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications across four unions in the Tista River floodplain (Rangpur and Nilphamari districts). Four fruit tree species (mango, guava, malta and litchi) were intercropped with vegetables (cauliflower, taro, kangkong) and compared with sole cropping. Results revealed that agroforestry significantly increased productivity, with tree yields rising by 15–24% and crop yields by up to 46% over monocultures (p < 0.05). Economic analysis showed a benefit–cost ratio (BCR) ranging from 1.91 to 5.37, while land equivalent ratio (LER) values exceeded 2.0, confirming superior profitability and land-use efficiency. Soil quality improved markedly after three cropping cycles, with organic matter increasing by 40–50%, total nitrogen nearly doubling (0.08–0.14% under litchi), and available phosphorus rising by more than 50%. Microbial populations also surged, with total bacteria increasing more than sevenfold and fungal abundance by 30–50%. These findings demonstrate that agroforestry simultaneously enhances crop productivity, farmer income and soil ecosystem health, underscoring its role as a viable land-use strategy for vulnerable char regions. Field-based evidence from this study highlights the need for policy support and scaling up of agroforestry to promote climate-resilient agriculture in South Asia and beyond.